More than 120 terror attack survivors and bereaved families today demand an end to years of broken promises.
People affected by atrocities including the Manchester Arena bombing, the London Bridge attack and 7/7 accuse ministers of “promising the world ” but delivering nothing. They have written to all party leaders calling for tough new laws to protect public venues and support those affected by horrifying attacks.
Gary Furlong, whose son James was among three killed by a knifeman in Reading four years ago, said: “When terror attacks happen, politicians promise the world. They tell us they will do everything they can to keep us safe -and that survivors and bereaved families will be looked after.
“Before this happened to my family I thought that was true – but I now know it’s not. And that’s simply not good enough. I brought my children up to always do the right thing, it is now up to politicians to do the same.”
(
Figen Murray)
And Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett died in the 2017 Manchester suicide bombing, said her hopes of a new law in her son’s name have been frustrated. Martyn’s Law would force venues to have plans in place to prepare for an attack like the one that killed 22 people after an Ariana Grande concert.
Rishi Sunak pledged to pass the law in May, but then called a snap General Election the same day – meaning the next Government must pick it up. Figen said: “My hopes have been raised and disappointed so many times – even on the day the election was called.
“This should be an issue that our parties agree on – not an area of systematic neglect. I want all parties to commit to making this a priority ahead of the election.”
In a letter members of charity Survivors Against Terror wrote: “Public venues remain at heightened risk of attack, survivors languish on waiting lists for mental health support and seriously injured people are still waiting for compensation many years after life changing attacks made it impossible for them to work.
“That has to change this time.” Co-founder Brendan Cox, whose Labour MP wife Jo was murdered in 2016, said: “Survivors of attacks simply want to reduce the likelihood of future attacks and make sure people who are affected are looked after.
“It’s not much to ask – yet even these modest expectations have been consistently dashed. Too many survivors are left languishing without basic mental health support, compensation or even recognition of their pain. It should shame us all.”