THE fight for justice for thousands of haemophiliacs, including a Bolton man whose brother died and who himself needed a liver transplant after being given infected blood, is continuing.

Government bosses at the centre of the bad blood scandal, which affected 4,670 patients in the 1970s and 1980s, were accused of putting profit before health last month.

The Archer Report, the result of an independent inquiry into the use of contaminated blood products, launched a scathing attack and asked for an apology from the Government. The man who set up the inquiry, Lord Morris of Manchester, and Bolton MP, Brian Iddon, spoke out in Westminster on Thursday to ask the Government to take action.

Last night, David Fielding, who has accused the health system of murder after his brother, Brian, contracted HIV in 1985 and died five years later, welcomed the continued fight on the behalf of those affected.

The 53-year-old, of Darley Avenue, Farnworth, was infected with hepatitis B and C, plaguing him with ill-health and leading to him needing a life-saving liver transplant.

Lord Morris described Lord Archer’s report as “one of compelling integrity and humane concern for arguably the most stricken minority in Britain today”.

He called for a Government response of “matching concern and humanity”.

Baroness Thornton, for the Government, replied: “We have every sympathy with those who have been infected and their families.

“Lord Archer’s inquiry has made many detailed recommendations all of which we will be seriously considering.”

She said Health Secretary Alan Johnson would respond “as soon as we are able”.

Dr Iddon has asked for a full debate in the House of Commons on the issue.

He said: “It’s long overdue and Lord Archer has done both Houses a service by highlighting this.”

Mr Fielding said: “People are listening and I’m glad this issue is being highlighted.

“We want some proper answers from the Government and the time has come where they should really be some action as rapidly as possible.

“I’m still quite mentally battered by what has happened to me and Brian and I need help with that.

“The Government needs to follow Lord Archer’s recommendations and particularly help people financially.”

Nearly 2,000 haemophiliac patients who were exposed to HIV and/or hepatitis C by contaminated NHS blood and blood products have died since being infected. Many more are terminally ill.