As the Chairman of the Libyan-Sponsored IRA Terrorism Victims Parliamentary Support Group, I today joined my colleague, Jim Allister M.P. (North Antrim), victims, and their families in meeting with Foreign Office Minister, Hamish Falconer M.P.
Despite the commendable work of Minister Falconer – not least the long-awaited release of the Shawcross Report last year – the government remains stubbornly unwilling to secure compensation for those left dead and maimed by Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism, and their families.
It is a stark and harsh reality that equivalent American, German, and French victims have all received compensation many years prior, while British people have been and continue to be denied this basic right due to a lack of political will by successive governments.
If the veil of excuses pointing to past agreements, international law, and the opinions of the unstable Libyan government is lifted, a sheer lack of political will is exposed. The decision is a political choice, just as it was the political choice of the last government to give millions of pounds of aid to Libya for flooding, for example, rather than to our British victims.
The fundamental truth is that this government has an opportunity to right this historic wrong. This government could make compensation available, particularly from taxation collected from frozen Libyan assets, without significant legal ramifications.
Taxation and how it is spent is a stark political choice. No matter the method, where there is the will, there is a way. This government has found the means to compensate the victims of the Post Office Scandal, those effected by contaminated blood, and is reconsidering its approach to the WASPI women.
When it comes to British people bombed on our own soil, it seems to hide behind the failures of previous governments of all parties, rather than find solutions.
It is clear to all involved that the obstacle is not international law or bureaucracy, but a lack of political will.
I will continue to work with my colleagues in Parliament, the victims, and their families to fight for long overdue justice and compensation. I have always stood alongside them and always will.
The time for excuses is over, and the time for action is now!
Andrew Rosindell M.P., Member of Parliament for Romford
