British victims of terrorist attacks abroad have accused
the Government of secretly shelving a deal to pay them compensation
for their horrific injuries.
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The Government has been accused of secretly delaying a deal to
pay compensation to British victims who have suffered severe
injuries in terrorist attacks abroad.
Despite being backed by the Conservatives when they were in
opposition, the Ministry of Justice has said the payment scheme is
now under review.
Victims of the attacks in Mumbai, Bali, and other atrocities
have been angered by the decision, which comes after British
detainees in Guantanamo Bay were awarded millions of pounds in
compensation.
Will Pike was left paralysed from below the waist after trying
to escape the Mumbai gunman by jumping out of a window on the third
floor of the Taj Mahal hotel.
He said: "It is absolutely disgraceful that we are being left
hanging like this."
Victims of atrocities that have occurred since 2002 had been
promised compensation, with around 40 to 50 people expected to have
qualified for the payment claims. If granted, a payout of a few
million pounds would have been made, but the prospect of any money
being received is now in doubt.
Jill Greenfield, personal injury
partner at Field Fisher Waterhouse was part of the compaign to
introduce compensation for British victims of terrorist attacks
abroad. She said: "It is absolutely outrageous that British victims
of terrorism abroad – many of whom were singled out for being
British – had been promised ex-gratia payments and now the
Government is refusing to say whether it will stick to that
pledge.
"These people are getting the brush off when they have really
serious injuries. Nothing has happened in six months.
"They are innocent victims who are now being ignored. The
Government's attitude towards them is absolutely appalling."
In the UK any victims of crime - whether they are British
citizens or not - are entitled to up to half a million pounds
compensation, depending on how serious their injuries are.
But British citizens that are victims of terrorism while abroad
are not normally covered by travel insurance and despite suffering
life-threatening and devastating injuries, do not receive financial
support.
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "This Government
believes that support should be offered to the most serious, most
vulnerable and most persistently targeted victims of crime -
ensuring that those who actually need support receive it.
"Following the Ministry of Justice's Spending Review settlement,
Ministers are reviewing all victims' services and considering where
best to allocate funds. We expect to have a decision on this review
in the New Year."
For further information contact Jill
Greenfield on 020 7861 4557 or email jill.greenfield@ffw.com