Following on from the sight of a full panel of witnesses on the platform, the Minister sat in the middle of the long table looking as isolated a “Johnny No-mates”. There was no welcome as usually afforded the witness by the Chair, just a statement of the oath being administered. Before answering questions, the Minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds (NTS) wanted to make a statement. That was no surprise. After the obligatory latest apology, the statement was a combination of how short the timescales were (excuses), and how much he wanted to press ahead (oh really). Miss Richards reviewed how the so-called Expert Group had already done its work before he was appointed after the election. He was asked about the Inquiry findings related to the issue of a lack of transparency and candour by officials and how this had impacted the infected blood community. NTS was asked to confirm if the Government was committed to transparency and candour, and he said it was. It was pointed out that the timescale fo...
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