| Letter To Home Secretary Dr John Reid |
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| Written by Paul Mitchell | |
| Tuesday, 01 May 2007 | |
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On 1st May 2007 a delegation of 7/7 survivors, their relatives and bereaved families attended the Home Office to hand in a letter to Dr John Reid formally inviting the Government to respond to their request for an independant inquiry - this was also circulated to the UK press.
Dear Sir
Re: Request – Independent Public Enquiry - 7th July 2005 London Bombings
We act on behalf of Rachel North, Paul Mitchell, Janine Mitchell, Jacqui Putnam, Ros Morley, Tim Coulson, Elizabeth Kenworthy, Susan Maxwell, David Gould, Graham Foulkes, Nader Mozakka, Brian Morley, Lesley Ratcliff, Angela Ioannou, Robert Webb and others who were materially affected by events that took place in London on 7th July 2005.
Background
As you are more than aware, during the morning rush hour of 7th July 2005, a series of coordinated terrorist bomb blasts hit the London public transport system. Three bombs exploded on London Underground trains, respectively on an east-bound Circle Line train, on a west-bound Circle Line train and on a west-bound Piccadilly Line train. A fourth bomb exploded on a double-decker bus approximately 1 hour later at Tavistock Square. Fifty six people, including the four perpetrators, were killed in the attacks and about seven hundred were injured.
Nature and Purpose of Inquiry Sought
Our clients seek an independent and impartial public inquiry into events that took place on 7th July 2005 with a view to the production of a publicly available report containing appropriate recommendations. One of the key purposes of the inquiry would be to examine issues aimed at saving lives, minimising suffering and improving the response of Government agencies to the continuing threat of terrorist attacks in the UK and abroad and in the event of any similar attack in the future.
Issues to be Examined by the Independent Public Inquiry
Whilst this is not an exhaustive list of issues, our clients seek the production of a comprehensive, accurate and definitive factual account of how the bombings occurred culminating in the attacks themselves, the police investigation and the emergency response to the bombings. Our clients are prepared to accept that the inquiry should not prejudice any ongoing investigation, but will expect you to account for what investigations are ongoing and how they may be prejudiced. The inquiry should also focus upon communication as between the Government, the police, the bereaved and survivors, Government agencies charged with preventing terrorism investigating attacks and responding to the needs of the bereaved, the injured and any other survivors and as between the emergency services internally within each service and with each other in the aftermath of an attack.
Additionally, our clients consider that the independent public inquiry should address the issue of safety on public transport, coordinated care for the bereaved, injured and other survivors as well as a focus upon the adequacies of existing compensatory mechanisms to include the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
Powers of the Inquiry
Our clients request an effective inquiry, being one which has the appropriate powers to require witness and documentary evidence and to invite relevant contributions from all stakeholders indirectly and directly affected by the incidences.
We note that to date no such independent and impartial public enquiry has been established and it is believed by our clients that such an inquiry is necessary to demonstrate effective due diligence in seeking to minimise death and suffering in the event of future attacks as well as demonstrating a step which will assist public confidence with the perception of being seen to take all appropriate steps as a responsible Government to ensure independence in the process of protecting life.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the content of this letter in company of our clients but in the first instance invite your written response to our clients’ formal request that you order an inquiry into the London Bombings on 7th July 2005 as set out in this letter.
Yours faithfully
Oury Clark Solicitors Did you enjoy this article? Please share it!           |
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