Menu
15/09/2017
Govt Rejects Calls For Libyan-IRA Victims Fund
The government has rejected calls for a UK reparations fund for victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA attacks.
The fund was suggested in a report published a cross-party group of MPs on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.
Former Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi supplied arms to the IRA and Libyan Semtex plastic explosive was a key weapon in the group's bombing campaign.
Labour MP Kate Hoey, who is on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, said the government response is "as unsurprising as it is unacceptable".
She said: "They are telling people to seek justice on their own, to bear the cost and overcome the language barrier of obtaining compensation directly from the Libyan Government.
"There is a duty to represent the victims, just as the US and German governments fought for compensation for their citizens."
The government said it considers compensation claims to be private matters.
Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey said: "The Government's rejection of a fund to provide compensation for victims of Libyan sponsored IRA violence is sadly a continuation of the aloof and indifferent approach adopted by successive Governments.
"The suspicion remains that as Prime Minister, Tony Blair did a deal with Gadaffi.
"I began writing to the UK Government about Gadaffi and Libya in 2002 and in all those years I have never heard a coherent explanation for the failure of HMG to get compensation for UK Citizens for all the damage that Gadaffi had inflicted on us as, a result of supplying the IRA with weapons, money and training for over 20 years.
"The repeated failure of successive UK Governments is all the more galling for victims given that the Governments of the USA, Germany and France all managed to secure compensation for their citizens who had suffered. Bearing in mind that Gadaffi waged a proxy war against the UK for decades, it is simply unbelievable that the UK has not achieved a similar outcome.
"The complacent attitude of successive Governments prompted me to introduce a Private Member’s Bill before Parliament last year, but because of the election it ran out of time. I reintroduced it (The Asset Freezing (compensation) Bill) on 5th July 2017 and it will have its second reading on 27th October.
"The aim is to raise the profile of the Libyan connection to terrorism and to ensure that the victims can see that Parliament has not forgotten them and is still seeking a measure of justice for them. There are representatives of all parties supporting it, but we await the Government's response.
"I was disappointed that in the recent negotiations between the Conservative Party and the DUP this issue didn't figure.
"It is simply staggering that Libya has £9.5 billions of frozen assets in London alone! They have more in other countries as well. I want some of that to go towards helping the many who have suffered greatly as a result of Gadaffi's semtex."
(CD/LM)
The fund was suggested in a report published a cross-party group of MPs on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.
Former Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi supplied arms to the IRA and Libyan Semtex plastic explosive was a key weapon in the group's bombing campaign.
Labour MP Kate Hoey, who is on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, said the government response is "as unsurprising as it is unacceptable".
She said: "They are telling people to seek justice on their own, to bear the cost and overcome the language barrier of obtaining compensation directly from the Libyan Government.
"There is a duty to represent the victims, just as the US and German governments fought for compensation for their citizens."
The government said it considers compensation claims to be private matters.
Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey said: "The Government's rejection of a fund to provide compensation for victims of Libyan sponsored IRA violence is sadly a continuation of the aloof and indifferent approach adopted by successive Governments.
"The suspicion remains that as Prime Minister, Tony Blair did a deal with Gadaffi.
"I began writing to the UK Government about Gadaffi and Libya in 2002 and in all those years I have never heard a coherent explanation for the failure of HMG to get compensation for UK Citizens for all the damage that Gadaffi had inflicted on us as, a result of supplying the IRA with weapons, money and training for over 20 years.
"The repeated failure of successive UK Governments is all the more galling for victims given that the Governments of the USA, Germany and France all managed to secure compensation for their citizens who had suffered. Bearing in mind that Gadaffi waged a proxy war against the UK for decades, it is simply unbelievable that the UK has not achieved a similar outcome.
"The complacent attitude of successive Governments prompted me to introduce a Private Member’s Bill before Parliament last year, but because of the election it ran out of time. I reintroduced it (The Asset Freezing (compensation) Bill) on 5th July 2017 and it will have its second reading on 27th October.
"The aim is to raise the profile of the Libyan connection to terrorism and to ensure that the victims can see that Parliament has not forgotten them and is still seeking a measure of justice for them. There are representatives of all parties supporting it, but we await the Government's response.
"I was disappointed that in the recent negotiations between the Conservative Party and the DUP this issue didn't figure.
"It is simply staggering that Libya has £9.5 billions of frozen assets in London alone! They have more in other countries as well. I want some of that to go towards helping the many who have suffered greatly as a result of Gadaffi's semtex."
(CD/LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 September 2023
NI Ministers Condemn Passing Of 'Cynical And Cruel' Legacy Bill
NI Ministers have condemned the passing of the UK government's much criticised Legacy Bill, with the DUP describing it as a 'dark day for innocent victims' and Sinn Féin as 'cynical and cruel'. The controversial bill passed it's final stage in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 06 September.
NI Ministers Condemn Passing Of 'Cynical And Cruel' Legacy Bill
NI Ministers have condemned the passing of the UK government's much criticised Legacy Bill, with the DUP describing it as a 'dark day for innocent victims' and Sinn Féin as 'cynical and cruel'. The controversial bill passed it's final stage in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 06 September.
15 May 2019
Outrage As Plans For Historical Abuse Compensation Delayed
Political representatives in Northern Ireland have hit out at the Secretary of State Karen Bradley for pushing back the prospect of legislation to give compensation to victims of historical abuse.
Outrage As Plans For Historical Abuse Compensation Delayed
Political representatives in Northern Ireland have hit out at the Secretary of State Karen Bradley for pushing back the prospect of legislation to give compensation to victims of historical abuse.
13 April 2011
Doubts Over 'Libyan IRA Atrocities Deal'
An NI pressure group acting for victims of the Troubles has welcomed news that strife-torn Libya has agreed a deal for victims to be compensated for multiple atrocities carried out by the IRA throughout the UK.
Doubts Over 'Libyan IRA Atrocities Deal'
An NI pressure group acting for victims of the Troubles has welcomed news that strife-torn Libya has agreed a deal for victims to be compensated for multiple atrocities carried out by the IRA throughout the UK.
14 September 2009
Libyan Arms Gets Stormont Debate
Politicians will revisit some of the Troubles' worst times today. A DUP motion is seeking cross-party support to pressure the Westminster Government to increase diplomatic pressure on Libya over arms and cash sent to the IRA. Sinn Féin will have to make a decision on support for a compensation claim by victims against the Libyan state.
Libyan Arms Gets Stormont Debate
Politicians will revisit some of the Troubles' worst times today. A DUP motion is seeking cross-party support to pressure the Westminster Government to increase diplomatic pressure on Libya over arms and cash sent to the IRA. Sinn Féin will have to make a decision on support for a compensation claim by victims against the Libyan state.
01 September 2009
Libya Hints At Gun-Running Compensation
Long-awaited recognition of Tripoli's involvement in IRA terrorism has moved a step closer.
Libya Hints At Gun-Running Compensation
Long-awaited recognition of Tripoli's involvement in IRA terrorism has moved a step closer.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
