A FATHER-of-two who was given contaminated blood during a routine operation is calling for compensation from the Government.

Glenn Wilkinson, 46, who is a haemophiliac, was given a contaminated blood product during an operation to remove three teeth at Hull Royal Infirmary in 1983.

However, he only discovered he had contracted Hepatitis C, which can lead to liver cancer and death, 12 years after receiving the tainted blood.

He later discovered the blood was donated by US criminals, including prostitutes and addicts.

He will today lobby Parliament for compensation – and an apology.

MPs are due to debate the scandal, which has been described as the "the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS" by world–renowned health expert Lord Robert Winston.

Mr Wilkinson said: "The Government has tried to bury this at every opportunity.

"I have seen people die while the Government does nothing for us and we are very, very angry."

"They have never given us any kind of apology.

"No-one has said 'sorry.' At least that would really heal some wounds and give us the closure we need."

Mr Wilkinson may also have been infected with variant CJD – the human form of 'mad cow disease' – but as there is no test for it, he won't know until symptoms appear.

Mr Wilkinson said: "It is like living with a ticking time bomb inside you."

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, 4,670 patients contracted Hepatitis C.

Of those, 1,243 also contracted HIV, the virus leading to AIDS, after they were given contaminated blood products. Around 2,000 have died.

The contaminated blood came from American "skid row" donors from high risk groups, paid by US pharmaceutical firms to donate blood for "factor concentrates" used to treat haemophilia, a lifelong condition affecting blood clotting.

Mr Wilkinson, of Cottingham Road, west Hull, was just 19 when he went into Hull Royal Infirmary to have three teeth removed in 1983. He was given "factor VIII concentrate" which was then regarded as a medical innovation to help clotting in haemophiliacs, which had been bought in from America by the NHS.

In 1995, blood tests revealed he had Hepatitis C.

Like Mr Wilkinson, many infected patients were not told until years later, exposing their families to cross–infection.

A two-year independent inquiry called on the Government to pay direct financial relief to sufferers and families. Almost two years on, no scheme has been set up.

A Department of Health spokesman said junior health minister Anne Milton has met campaigners.

He said: "Health ministers are currently considering future policy in relation to those affected by contaminated blood during the 1970s and 80s."