Gov Awards Infected Blood Compensation Role to Browne Jacobson

Factor 8 can exclusively reveal that the Cabinet Office has awarded a significant contract to the Nottingham-based legal firm, Browne Jacobson, for advising on infected blood compensation. The contract, valued at £123,000, is set for an initial duration of three months, with an optional extension of six months, which could see its value rise by an additional £200,000.

The government has not yet officially announced this information. The disclosure follows closely on the heels of a written parliamentary answer provided yesterday by Cabinet Minister John Glen in response to MP MP Diana Johnson. In his response, Glen indicated that the government was in the process of integrating experts to advise on the response to the Infected Blood Inquiry's compensation recommendations. He confirmed the formal appointment of the chair of the expert group and clinical experts on January 22, along with the advising legal firm contract award. However, Glen stopped short of naming the appointed experts or the legal firm involved.

Factor 8's revelation fills this gap, identifying Browne Jacobson as the chosen legal advisory firm. However, the lack of transparency surrounding the selection process and the contract details will raise questions within the community and among the public.