Lord Ken Clarke has said he was “not responsible” for blood products during his time as health minister in the early days of the infected blood scandal, an inquiry has heard. Clarke, who held the position of health minister from 1982 to 1985, said the emerging controversy surrounding the blood products was something that “hardly ever came across my desk” as he was dealing with policies such as closing “old Victorian asylums” or getting rid of “old geriatric hospitals.” He is appearing in front of the Infected Blood Inquiry this week to give evidence surrounding the scandal, which emerged in the 1980s and saw thousands diagnosed with HIV/Aids and/or hepatitis after receiving blood product treatments for haemophilia. The illness, which has no cure, impairs the body’s ability to make blood clots. After his role as health minister, Clarke was later made the health secretary from 1988 to 1990. Lord Kenneth …