Government to look at payouts for terror victims overseas

Justice Minister Crispin Blunt said an announcement is due to be made before parliament breaks up for the summer after mounting pressure from campaigners and MPs who are angry that while the Government offers financial assistance to victims of terrorism at home it fails to help UK citizens and their families who are injured or killed abroad.

Mr Blunt said: “This is a difficult and emotive issue. I know that there is continuing interest in this area, to put it mildly, and several MPs have raised the matter recently.

“Since the spending review settlement, the Ministry of Justice has been reviewing the services available to victims, witnesses and their families. We are also considering afresh proposals for the introduction of schemes to compensate eligible victims of terrorism overseas. We expect to be able to make an announcement before the summer recess.”

The Minister was speaking after being pressed in the House of Commons by Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy, who revealed that since the Bali bombings in 2002, 58 Britons have been killed and 37 seriously injured in terror attacks overseas.

He called for the Government to address the issue “quickly” so victims and their families can “receive the justice that they deserve”.

Mr Percy said: “It is my view, and that of many MPs, that the British Government continue to have a responsibility for their citizens even when they leave these shores.

“British victims of terrorism in the UK are eligible for compensation under the criminal injuries compensation scheme, but that does not extend to victims of terrorism overseas.”