Infected Blood: A Service of Recognition, Remembrance and Reflection
There was a national service at St. Paul’s Cathedral for the infected blood community on Tuesday 19th May 2026.
About the service
The service took place at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, on the eve of the 2 year anniversary of the Infected Blood Inquiry reporting. The service was designed using feedback from the community and focused on recognising and remembering those that were impacted by the contaminated blood scandal.
Just over 1000 people attended, including members of the infected blood community and their supporters. Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry attended, as did other Inquiry staff members. Alongside the members of the inquiry were community champions who have advocated for the infected blood community in seeking justice, as well as charity representatives.
Throughout the service, readings and prayers were led by members of the infected blood community. They included; Alan Burgess, Juliet Batten, Elisabeth Buggins, Leanne (daughter of John), Brian Moore, Mike Simpson, Sybil Fowler, Jana Godfrey, Brendan Conwell, Caroline Carberry, Heather Smith and Mark Ward.
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
Clive Smith, Chair of the Infected Blood Memorial Committee, led the congregation through reading out the names of loved ones and a moment of silence as petals in white, red and yellow cascaded from the Whispering Gallery.
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
Sir Brian Langstaff gave an address to the congregation speaking of the infected blood community’s strength and fight for justice.
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
Throughout the congregation, empty seats with ribbons in the colours of the community were placed to symbolise those who could not be there in person. As an act of remembrance, over 60 members of the community carried candles to the front.
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended the service.The Memorial Committee invited state representatives to witness the impact of the scandal. This included the current Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and ministers for the Department of Health and Social Care.
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
They were joined by Theresa May, who, as Prime Minister in 2017 ordered an inquiry for victims and families into the “appalling tragedy” of contaminated blood. Several current and former Members of Parliament, including those who championed the implementation of the Infected Blood Inquiry and were also in attendance as witnesses.
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
Music was provided in the service by Michael Ball, The London Contemporary Choir and the St Paul’s Cathedral Consort.
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
Les Miserables “Empty tables, Empty chairs” was performed by Michael Ball.
Photography: Graham Lacdao, St Paul’s Cathedral
Emeli Sandé’s “Read All About It, Pt. III” was performed by The London Contemporary Choir.
Live Stream
We know that not everyone was able to attend on the day. For those who would still like to watch the service it was streamed live on YouTube. An archive of the live stream is on Youtube.
Order Of Service
Please see the Infected Blood Memorial Order of Service (PDF, 36.8 MB, 24 pages) for the event.
Mailing List
If you would like to receive future updates on events and work done by the Infected Blood Memorial Committee, you can sign up to our mailing list.
Please register your interest here, if you would like to receive updates from the Infected Blood Memorial Committee.
Updates to this page
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Summary of the service and photos added
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Order of service uploaded. Tube strike information updated.
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Updated arrivals process and livestream
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Updated arrivals process information
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Arrivals process information updated
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Updated information for the national service at St. Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday 19 May 2026
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Updated the include a link to the page for claiming expenses
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Updated with contact details and further information
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Added a link to the video: Clive Smith on Infected Blood Memorial Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral
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First published.