Norman Fowler: contaminated blood compensation was doomed to failure

Former health secretary said ministers were worried if they paid compensation to haemophiliacs it might set a precedent

A push in the 1980s for compensation for haemophiliacs infected with Aids through contaminated blood was doomed to failure" because of opposition from Margaret Thatcher and the Treasury, a former health secretary has said.

Norman Fowler, who was secretary state for health and social security between 1981 and 1987, told the infected blood inquiry that ministers were worried if they paid compensation to haemophiliacs it might set a precedent.