On mature reflection….

I was persuaded by Minsters that we should await the outcome of the Enquiry which started in 2017 into the Contaminated Blood scandal before agreeing full compensation for the victims, and accordingly last night supported the Government in voting against the amendment which would have hastened that compensation in Parliament.This treatment scandal saw thousands of people infected with contaminated blood and blood products in the 1970s and 80s, leading to deaths and many families left destitute and grief stricken.I have been contemplating the matter overnight- and rather regret my vote now. The Inquiry seems very unlikely to do anything other than endorse the compensation proposals; and there is therefore merit- after an unreasonable delay already- to confirm the payments and hasten them.So another time I would have supported the amendments last night (which was, I am glad to say passed by a small majority); I would have rebelled against the three-line whip on the matter; and I commit to doing so if by any mischance the Government or the Lords reverse that decision.On mature reflection the amendment was perfectly right and I sincerely wish that I had voted for it.