Theresa May faces calls from six opposition leaders to back a Hillsborough-style inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal.
The joint cross-party letter says the probe should look into allegations of a cover-up and claims that patients were not told of the risks, even after the dangers became clear.
The letter is signed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and, significantly, the DUP’s leader at Westminster Nigel Dodds - whose MPs the Prime Minister relies on to prop up her minority government.
May promised that health ministers “will look at any new evidence that is brought forward” on the scandal, in which haemophiliacs and others were infected with hepatitis C and HIV from blood products during the 1970s and 1980s.
The joint letter to Mrs May - also signed by Ian Blackford, the leader of the SNP group in the Commons, Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts and Green co-leader Caroline Lucas - called for the establishment of an inquiry with the power to compel all those involved in the scandal to participate.
The leaders said: “We believe those affected have a right to know what went wrong; and why. Whenever public disasters of this kind take place, Government has a fundamental duty to support those affected in getting the answers they need; to disclose everything they know; and to ensure that officials are called to account for their actions.
“We regret that for many decades, the victims of the contaminated blood scandal have been denied this right.”
They added: “Amongst many other considerations, it is alleged that victims’ medical details were tampered with to hide the cause of their infections; that documents relating to the scandal were destroyed by Department of Health officials as part of a cover-up; and that patients were not told of the risks, with contaminated products not removed from the blood supply, once the dangers became known.”
At least 2,400 people are thought to have died as a result of receiving contaminated blood products.
The UK imported supplies of the clotting agent Factor VIII from the US, some of which turned out to be infected - and much of the plasma used to make the product came from donors like prison inmates in the US, who sold their blood.
The joint letter calls for the inquiry to “investigate the role of profit-making American firms in supplying blood factor concentrates to people with haemophilia”.
Greater Manchester May and former Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham claims he has enough evidence to approach the police and is calling for May to announce a debate before Parliament stops sitting for the summer.
Liz Carroll, chief executive of The Haemophilia Society, said: “For decades, people with bleeding disorders and their families have sought the truth. Instead, they were told by the Government that no mistakes were made, while it repeatedly refused to acknowledge evidence of negligence and a subsequent cover up.
“Contaminated blood products devastated our community. Almost 2,500 of our members have died and will never see justice while 2,500 more still suffer with substantial health issues. Despite support from the Government, many continue to live in poverty - with an uncertain future - unable to work as careers were cut short due to ill health or to care for loved ones.
“The Government have said that no liability has been shown, however there has never been an inquiry with a remit to investigate and challenge this claim.
“We welcome the support from the party leaders for an inquiry to reveal the truth and sincerely hope that the Prime Minister acts swiftly to right this historic wrong. However, after so many years it will be with relief rather than jubilation that those affected by thecontaminated blood scandal finally get justice.”
A Department of Health spokesman said: “We know this tragedy has caused unimaginable hardship and pain for those affected. That’s why we have increased the amount of money we spend on payments to victims to record levels since 2016, with an additional £125 million in support funding for those who need it.
“We recognise the importance of full transparency, which is why we have published all the information we hold on blood safety from the relevant period, between 1970 to 1995. We will carefully consider any new or emerging evidence before deciding on next steps.”