Judge issues deadline for hepatitis death answers

A judge in Scotland has demanded clarity on the forthcoming investigation into the death of two elderly Scottish patients who died from hepatitis C.

Eileen O'Hara and Rev David Black both contracted the disease from contaminated blood products while being cared for by the NHS before their deaths in 2003.

Last year, a judge found in favour of the two families before the Scottish Government said an inquiry would be held, which has yet to come about.

Scottish ministers have been given a month to decide who should chair the inquiry into the deaths, following the withdrawal of previous appointee Lady Cogrove.

A spokesman for the government said: "We have received and are considering Lord MacKay's opinion.

"We are keen that the public inquiry should begin as soon as possible. However the withdrawal of the original chairman, inevitably, resulted in some delay.

"Ministers do not want any further delay and we expect to announce the new chairman imminently."