Witnesses giving personal testimony to the tribunal were accused yesterday of making "gratuitous references" to medical practitioners.
Mr Brian McGovern SC, counsel for the former director of the National Haemophilia Treatment Centre, Prof Ian Temperley, said it was more than a coincidence that the references had crept into evidence as the tribunal was about to embark on its third phase, in which the actions of treaters will come under scrutiny.
His comments were made during the evidence of a man, "Herbert", who said two of his sons with mild haemophilia had been treated with Factor 8 concentrate and developed hepatitis C. He said the trust he had placed in the medical profession had broken down, especially his trust in Prof Temperley.
Mr McGovern objected to any reference to Prof Temperley when no such reference was contained in the witness's statement. Judge Alison Lindsay said if allegations were to be made this should be done in a supplementary statement.
Continuing his evidence, Herbert said doctors knew for some time his oldest son had hepatitis C before they told him. It would have been "advantageous" to have known of the infection earlier, said Herbert, as there was always a risk of the virus being passed on at home.
The mother of a 28-year-old man who died of AIDS, also gave evidence. From behind a screen using the pseudonym "Shirley", she said she had four sons with haemophilia B (Factor 9 deficiency) and had a path worn to the local hospital to have their bleeds treated.
One of them, Hugh, was "slow" as a result of a brain injury at birth and did not go out much. As a result he had only needed treatment for bleeds about twice but developed HIV and hepatitis from it.
She added that another of her sons contracted hepatitis C and had to undergo a liver transplant in the US.