The Infected Blood Inquiry examined how more than 30,000 people, including 3,000 in Scotland, contracted HIV and Hepatitis C from contaminated blood in the 1970s and ’80s.

Inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff said that, when doctors realised there were risks in using the blood clotting treatment Factor VIII, they failed to inform patients and undertook research instead.

The “Edinburgh Cohort” in the report was among the most studied group of patients in the world. They had been infected by a single batch of Factor VIII, under the care of Professor Christopher Ludlam.

Professor Ludlam claimed the testing was for routine monitoring but Sir Brian rejected this.

He said: “It was undoubtedly research, despite his suggesting otherwise.

“Patients were never informed of the results of the investigations and the studies led to no review of the treatment regime. It did, however, lead to publications in Dr Ludlam’s name and of his colleagues.”

He added: “Had they been informed… they would also have been told why, and would have become aware of the dangers of the treatment they were receiving.

“Some or all of them may then have refused to continue to be treated with concentrates. They may not then have been infected with HIV.”

Lynn Carey, associate at Thompsons, said: “We welcome the publication of the report on behalf of every Scottish victim of the contaminated blood scandal. The report is hard hitting and in many ways difficult to read. Sir Brian Langstaff has laid bare the decades of gross and culpable failures that caused so much pain suffering and death.

“I am pleased to see that Thompsons and our team of counsel have clearly influenced Sir Brian’s findings and recommendations. Many of the recommendations come directly from our submissions.

“So many Scottish victims needlessly, callously and avoidably contaminated because of Scottish specific failures.

“Of course all of these failures could have been identified more than eight years ago with the publication of the Penrose Report. The victims that we represent all talk of the many missed opportunities over the years for the truth be found and justice served.”