LONDON — from METHODIST CENTRAL HALL WESTMINSTER

The inquiry was specifically asked to explore whether there was any evidence of a cover-up.

Inquiry chair Sir Brian Langstaff is clear – there is, although he prefers the term “hiding the truth”.

He says there was a lack of openness, inquiry, accountability and elements of “downright deception”, including destroying documents.

But he said hiding the truth included not only deliberate concealment, but also telling half-truths or not telling people what they had a right to know.

He said this included the risks of treatment they received, what alternatives were available and, at times, even the fact that they were infected.

Reporting by Nick Triggle, Health Correspondent, BBC News at 12:30 hours