Infected blood scandal: Fight goes on, Colin Smith’s parents say

After the inquiry’s report was released on Monday, Mr Smith added he felt “hyped up” after decades of fight.

“I feel a bit flat today,” he said, “I think it’s relief”.

“Hopefully, things will change for everybody, because if we let them get away with it or they’ll just carry on doing it.

“If they’d have stopped this sooner, hundreds – no thousands – of people would still be alive today, thousands of people wouldn’t be infected.”

Ms Smith added the impact of Colin’s illness was that she “lost her other sons as well”.

“Because we were looking after Colin – I had three other sons and they lost their mum and dad. It’s time for me to go back to them.”

She said she wanted to take her other sons on holiday with any compensation she received.

“My sons are so good, they take us on holiday, I just want to take them on holiday. Colin would love it too… I know he would.”