The Prime Minister has ordered an inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal that left 2,400 people dead.

The scandal took place in the 1970s and 80s when patients were given blood contaminated with diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C.

Details of the UK-wide investigation have yet to be finalised, and consultations will take place with those people affected as to how best to proceed.

The Prime Minister's spokesman said: "Consultation will now take place with those affected to decide exactly what form the inquiry will take, such as a Hillsborough-style independent panel or a judge-led statutory inquiry.

"It is a tragedy that has caused immeasurable hardship and pain for all those affected and a full inquiry to establish the truth of what happened is the right course of action to take.

"It is going to be a wide-ranging inquiry."

The spokesman said the decision to hold an investigation had been prompted by new evidence.

It came just hours before MPs held an emergency debate on the contaminated blood scandal.

Commons Speaker John Bercow granted the debate after a request from Labour's Diana Johnson, who said ministers had failed to consider evidence of criminal activity.

Ms Johnson called the contaminated blood scandal "the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS".

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn welcomed the announcement of the inquiry, which he said should have the potential to trigger prosecutions.

"Two thousand four hundred people died as a result of this contaminated blood, and it's caused unbelievable stress to many, many more people," said Mr Corbyn.

"It was obviously a serious systemic failure. I think we need the strongest possible inquiry that can if necessary lead to prosecution actions as a result, but above all get to the bottom of it.

"A broad, public, inquisitive inquiry is very important."