Following a six year campaign, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has
announced that all those affected by terrorist attacks abroad since
2002 will now be eligible for support from April 2013.
Until now, British citizens caught up in terrorism abroad
received little or no financial support upon their return to the
UK. An ongoing campaign sought equal treatment to those caught up
in bombings in the UK, such as the 7/7 bombing victims who received
financial support via the Criminal Injuries Compensation
Scheme.
Following an announcement by Labour minister Alan Johnson in
2010 that agreed to the planned changes as part of the Crime and
Security Bill, the government has finally confirmed that those
effected by terrorism abroad will be eligible under the Scheme.
From next year, those affected by incidents abroad in the past
ten years - such as the terrorist attacks in Sharm-el-Sheikh in
2005 and Mumbai in 2008 - will be able to apply for retrospective
financial support.
Jill Greenfield, a personal injury
partner at Field Fisher Waterhouse, has been heavily involved in
the campaign, working with Lord Brennan QC, victims families and
the Pro Bono Unit at law firm Lovells.
Jill Greenfield comments:
"This is tremendous news. Victims of terrorism have been
ignored for so long. After a very long fight it is good to see that
at last financial support will soon become available."
For further information please contact Jill Greenfield on 020 7861
4557.