YP Comment: Prime Minister orders inquiry - Contaminated blood scandal

Theresa May has ordered the investigation which will establish the causes of the “appalling injustice” that took place during the 1970s and 80s when NHS patients were given blood products that were infected with diseases, such as hepatitis C and HIV.

For Helen Wilcox and many thousands of haemophiliacs like her, it is the news they have long been waiting to hear. The 58 year-old, who lives in York, was given infected blood products more than 30 years ago and has been forced to live with the consequences for the rest of her life. The mother of two has survived four strokes and also suffers from diabetes and rheumatoid osteoporosis which she believes are linked to her hepatitis diagnosis, describing herself as “a ticking time bomb”.

Diana Johnson, the Hull North MP, called the scandal “the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS” and the former minister deserves great credit for championing the victims. Without her persistence, six opposition leaders would not have backed calls for a Hillsborough-style inquiry.

There are many questions that will need to be answered. Those caught up in the scandal have a right to know, for instance, whether medical details were tampered with to hide the cause of their infections. And, while these matters are historic and precede this Government, disclosure will at least demonstrate that Ministers are heeding the concerns of those caught up in this tragedy.

No investigation, no matter how far-reaching, can undo the immeasurable pain and suffering endured by the victims and their families, but it can at least, belatedly, bring some semblance of justice.

Farming boost - Bank investing for the future

It was fitting that Barclays Chief Executive Jes Staley chose the Great Yorkshire Show to announce an additional £100 million was being ploughed into its UK Farming Loan Fund, doubling its initial outlay.

Farming is not only emblematic of the county it’s also one of its great success stories and nowhere is this more in evidence than at this flagship three-day event showcasing the very best our agriculture industry has to offer.

The aim of the £200m fund is to boost British farming and agriculture and Barclays deserve much credit for this firm show of support.

Given the uncertainty surrounding what are likely to be protracted Brexit negotiations and the ongoing quandaries concerning devolution and its impact on rural affairs, this money not only enables arable and livestock farmers to expand their businesses, it’s a tangible investment in the long-term future of the UK agriculture industry.

The Great Yorkshire Show is one of the country’s biggest and most important events on the agricultural calendar, which was plain to see yesterday as tens of thousands of visitors braved the inclement weather and once again flocked to the Harrogate showground.

These remain testing times, with the National Farming Union warning that we are still some way off seeing long-term sustainability and prosperity in the farming sector.

Nevertheless, it appears the banking industry understands the importance of the rural economy and the crucial role it plays not only here in Yorkshire but up and down the country. Now it’s time for the Government to show a similar commitment.

Prince Charming - William meets war veterans

They helped protect the nation during its darkest hour and yesterday veterans of the Second World War were joined by Prince William for a special reception marking the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

The Duke of Cambridge, who is patron of the Flight, looked at ease chatting and laughing with the veterans at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, as they watched a fly-past featuring a Lancaster bomber, three Spitfires and a Hurricane flown by serving RAF air crew.

The memorial flight was established by Group Captain Peter Thompson, a former Battle of Britain Hurricane pilot, who started preserving wartime aircraft when he realised they were falling out of service.

Seventy-seven years have now passed since the Battle of Britain and still Winston Churchill’s famous utterance has lost none of its poignancy: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”