Blood probe has cost £9m

The Penrose Inquiry into patients who were given blood products contaminated with HIV and hepatitis C in the 1970s and 1980s has cost nearly £9 million so far, it has been revealed.

The inquiry’s public sessions, held in Edinburgh, have concluded, and Lord Penrose is writing his draft conclusions.

Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the interim cost from January 2009 to March 2012 was £8,788,901. A final cost is yet to be determined.