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 information please contact
Jill Greenfield on 020 7861
4557.