Success in campaign to introduce financial support scheme for British victims of terrorism abroad
18 January 2010
A four year campaign to secure financial support
for British victims of terrorism abroad has resulted in success.
The Government has today announced plans to introduce a new scheme,
ending a long fight by campaigners for support for seriously
injured British citizens. To date the UK Government has failed to
provide support for citizens not covered by the Criminal Injuries
Compensation Scheme because they were injured in bombings that
occurred abroad.
Jill Greenfield,
personal injury partner at Field Fisher
Waterhouse LLP, represents a family of six caught up in the bombing
of a holiday resort in Turkey in July 2005. She has been heavily
involved in the campaign, working with Trevor Lakin who lost his
son in the Egyptian bombings in 2005 and Lord Brennan QC
who introduced a Private Members Bill in the House of Lords in
2007.
It is understood that the scheme announced today
will be similar to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
Scheme which compensated the victims of the 7/7 bombings in London.
Jill Greenfield, personal injury partner at Field
Fisher Waterhouse said: “This is a massive step by the
Government and recognises that British citizens must be supported,
wherever they are involved in a terrorist atrocity. Our argument
was always that individuals should not bear the responsibility
alone for what is in fact an attack on our society. Finally this
country will help support those victims caught up in a political
war, something that other countries worldwide have done for many
years.“
For further press information please
contact:
Louise Eckersley, PR Manager,
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP on 020 7861 4120
Jill Greenfield, Field
Fisher Waterhouse LLP on 020 7861 4557 or 07917 769474.