I SPOKE in the Senedd to support the call for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the passing of infection via blood products to those with haemophilia and others during the 1970s and 1980s.

I fully support an enquiry into the tragic events that have happened nearly 40 years ago and spoke to the Assembly about the experiences of some of my constituents in Newport East. Lynn Ashcroft’s husband Bill Dumbleton was a haemophiliac and was one of the first haemophiliacs to treat himself at home with cryoprecipitate.

He contracted HIV and hepatitis C from the blood he was given and tragically died at aged 49, leaving Lynn a widow at 35. Bill passed away in the same year as young Colin Smith.

Colin was a haemophiliac and given a batch of contaminated blood product in the middle of the AIDS crisis. At age 7, after years of suffering, he died in his mother’s arms weighing 13lbs.

Colin’s parents, Janet and Colin, have been denied answers on how this contamination could happen and are continuing to fight for justice. I hope that this continued pressure on the UK Government will lead to a public inquiry which will finally give the families of those affected by the blood contamination tragedy the answers they desperately need.

Haemophilia Wales and the affected families felt encouraged by the passionate support of AMs in the debate. Lynne Kelly, the chairwoman of Haemophilia Wales, said: “I hope the continued discussions will add more pressure to Westminster for a public enquiry to finally get to the truth.”

More information about Haemophilia Wales can be found at: haemophiliawales.org/

Graduates of the Enabling Wales training course celebrated their achievements last month. The course, in active citizenship, equality and democracy, is designed to empower disabled people to represent and campaign on disability issues in their communities. This unique project has been working to strengthen and establish Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) in parts of Wales where disabled people are under-represented.

I was very pleased to speak and present certificates at the Enabling Wales graduation event. Disability Wales have enabled disabled people to acquire new skills and confidence to make their voices heard and help improve their quality of life and the public services they receive. Congratulations once again to all the graduates.

Finally, this month saw Rainbow Newport’s inaugural LGBT+ conference at the Riverfront. The conference was attended by over 150 people and there was a vast range of exhibitors, speakers, political hustings and workshops. I hope the success of the conference will continue to make Newport a friendlier city for the LGBT+ community. Well done to everyone involved.