The Mancunian Way: Justice at last

Hello,

It has been a hugely emotional 24 hours for victims, families, and campaigners affected by the infected blood scandal.

Between the 1970s and 1990s, more than 30,000 people were infected with deadly viruses in what has been termed ‘the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS’. Yesterday, the long-awaited final report from the inquiry into the scandal found a "chilling" and "pervasive" cover-up at the highest levels of government.

Gareth Mossman and his family are one of thousands whose lives have been torn apart by the disaster. His dad Peter was infected with hepatitis C in his 40s after being given a contaminated blood product supposed to help treat his haemophilia.

Speaking to health reporter Helena Vesty, Gareth recalled growing up in their three–bed council house in Wythenshawe, with one room filled with boxes and boxes of documents that would eventually be used as evidence.

“There was a lot of stigma, he didn’t really know much about what he had been infected with,” he said. “We weren’t allowed anywhere near his plates after tea, he used to wash himself with bleach – the stench is a prominent childhood memory for me.

“He wasn’t really affectionate with us because of how terrified he was of passing it to us. He was an amazing father, but we missed out on all those hugs and kisses because he was trying to protect us.”

On Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made an ‘unequivocal’ apology to victims and their families, saying the report’s findings should ‘shake the nation to its core’.

He also promised ‘comprehensive compensation’ - although what this looks like in reality is yet to be seen.

“We have to be pleased with the outcome – but at the same time, there’s a lot of anger,” Gareth said. “To hear that all of this wasn’t an accident and that the government and doctors at the time knowingly infected people.

“He [Peter] would be very angry that the acknowledgement is only coming now and that has all only been made public now.”

You can read the full piece on Peter, Gareth, and the Mossman family’s fight for justice here.

‘The pain of her loss is beyond any measure’

There were heartbreaking scenes from court as the family of little Genevieve Meehan watched a jury convict her killer.

Genevieve was a loved and adored nine-month-old. But her life was cut short in the most horrific of circumstances by someone she should have been able to trust.

Following a month-long trial, nursery deputy manager Kate Roughley has been convicted of manslaughter, after swaddling little Genevieve and strapping her face down onto a bean bag.

Harrowing CCTV footage showed the little girl struggling against the beanbag, crying loudly and clearly in distress. Roughley appeared to check other cots around her, but didn’t check Genevieve.

Now, her heartbroken family have paid tribute to their beautiful daughter, saying the loss has ‘destroyed our family’. “We grieve for her every day. We long desperately to see her smile, hear her laugh and feel her warm embrace. Her absence is a physical and emotional wound that will never heal,” they added.

“We grieve for what we do not have. Words cannot adequately convey how much we miss Genevieve. We are so desperate for her to be in our arms as she should be and watching her put on her school uniform in September when she would have started pre-school.

“Instead, we are here in a place we could never have imagined when we took her to nursery that day on 9 May where she was meant to be safe and cared for. The pain of her loss is beyond any measure.”

You can read the full story here.

Battle of the cities

In a move sure to shock all Mancs, Liverpool has been named the UK’s best city break destination,

The Merseyside-city topped the list - compiled by Which? - of the best large cities for a stay in the study by the consumer champion group.

Manchester managed to bag a spot in the top ten, ranking in ninth place - a frankly rude underestimation if you ask me. More here.

Victory parade

Manchester City have announced the details of their victory parade following their fourth consecutive Premier League win.

The Blues will travel from the National Football Museum and down Deansgate on Sunday (May 26) giving fans the opportunity to see the winning team and the coveted silverware with their own eyes.

However, the Council has warned the city centre will be especially busy as Deansgate will also play host to the finish line of the Great Manchester Run earlier in the day.

More details here.

Hale’s answer to Disneyland

"We want people to feel like they’re walking into Disneyland when they come here, it’s going to be all about the experience of the whole thing."

That’s what Anthony Prophet told Dianne Bourne when she came to find out more about Hale’s newest festival. In six weeks time Anthony and brother Ed will be transforming 120 acres of fields into ‘Brit Fest’.

The event will run across three days with a music lineup including Bonnie Tyler, Scouting For Girls, Fleur East, Starsailor, Toploader and Kim Wilde. But, aside from the music stages, there will also be a full on family festival taking place, as well as a food village and health and wellness zones and a huge fairground too.

You can find out more here.

Weather etc

Wednesday: Yellow weather warning for rain in place. 15C.

Roads: Taylor Road in both directions closed due to gas main work between B5214 Ashburton Road West (Ellesmere Circle) and Robson Avenue.

Manchester headlines

• Crash arrest: A man who was arrested after two people were left hurt in a 'horrific' crash in Bolton has been bailed, police have confirmed. More here.

• Police cordon: Police and paramedics are responding to a 'concern for welfare' incident in Levenshulme this afternoon. More here.

• Overturned lorry: This dramatic photo shows an overturned lorry at Ainley Top this morning, close to the M62 motorway. More here.

Worth a read

Top chef Gary Usher has hit out at a group of customers who walked out of his restaurant without paying their £370 bill.

Posting an excerpt from the end of day report from Hispi in Didsbury, Usher said the group failed to settle their £371.80 bill after telling the server they were going outside the venue for a smoke. You can read more here.