IRA attack victims publish report on case for compensation

The Foreign Office announced last month that a report it had commissioned over the matter would remain confidential, leaving the injured and bereaved outraged.

Late Libryan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi armed the IRA with powerful Semtex plastic explosives which were then used in incidents including the Warrington bombing in 1993 – as well as attacks targeting Harrods in 1983, the Remembrance Day ceremony in Enniskillen in 1987 and London's Docklands in 1996.

In response to the Government withholding the report, which was authored by former Charity Commission chairman William Shawcross, one victims' group – the Docklands Victims Association – has published a document outlining findings and recommendations based on its 15-year campaign for compensation.

It has sent copies to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill.

DVA president Jonathan Ganesh – who was badly injured during the Docklands bombing – said that victims were ‘immensely concerned’ that the Shawcross report had been classified and branded the Government's approach to the compensation campaign ‘absurd and disingenuous’.

He said: “We have now, due to the absence of the promised Shawcross report, been forced to issue our own report based on the DVA’s work over many years to secure compensation.

“The victims and their families who attempted to do the impossible have more compassion, courage and humanity than our own Government.

“It very sad that our Government to does not appear have these qualities.”

Victims want the current Libyan authorities to pay compensation but, given the unlikelihood of that prospects, have urged the Government to instead use billions of pounds of assets linked to the toppled Gaddafi regime which were frozen in the UK in 2011 under United Nations sanctions.

However, the Government has ruled out using the £12billion of Libyan assets or the tax take generated by them to compensate victims.

It has also refused to fund a scheme using other public finances while it continues to press authorities in the African country to pay out.

The Foreign Office has insisted that the responsibility for paying victims of Libyan arms rests with the Libyan state.

Under international law, the Government is unable to access the frozen assets but victims insist the £5million of tax derived from the assets each year could be used.

Ihsan Bashir, whose brother Inam was killed in the Docklands bomb, said he was ‘disgusted’ that the Shawcross report was being kept confidential, accusing the Government of dashing the hopes of victims.

"I'm pleased the DVA is publishing its report, because the Government has devalued the life of my brother and all the victims," he said.

Susanne Dodd – whose dad Stephen, a Met police officer, was killed in the Harrods bombing – added: "How can they refuse to give us the report because of national security?

"My poor dad saved the lives of countless innocent people, and this is how he is recognised by his Government."

Joe Holbeach, who was injured in the Enniskillen bombing, also criticised the Government.

He said: “I have now accepted that my life and all of those killed in the Troubles are worthless.

“The UK and Irish victims have been very shamefully treated.”

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said last month that the Shawcross report had always been intended as an ‘internal scoping’ exercise.

In response to the DVA’s own findings, a Government spokesman said: "The UK Government has profound sympathy for UK victims of Gaddafi-sponsored IRA terrorism, and for all victims of the Troubles.

"Providing compensation specifically for the actions of the Gaddafi regime, separate from the support available to victims of the Troubles, is the responsibility of the Libyan State.

"We will continue to press the Libyan authorities to address the Libyan State's historic responsibility for the Gaddafi regime's support for the IRA."