Diana Johnson calls for immediate compensation for HIV and Hepatitis victims of contaminated blood scandal

An East Yorkshire MP has demanded immediate compensation for UK victims of the contaminated blood scandal, as she warned that one victim is dying every 96 hours.

Diana Johnson praised the Prime Minister for setting up the Infected Blood Inquiry, but urgently called on the government to offer financial compensation for victims "who've suffered so much, for so long, at the hands of the state".

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Ms Johnson pointed to the Republic of Ireland's commitment to compensating claimants and their families, which has seen the state pay €720 million since 1995.

The MP for Hull has long been an advocate of UK victims – a record that Mrs May recognised. She said Ms Johnson had "obviously campaigned long and hard on this issue".

While the Prime Minister refused to offer a firm date for which to bring forward compensation, she promised a review was under way "as a matter of urgency" to look at how "greater parity of support" can be offered to victims.