7/7 relatives call for ban on terrorists’ bomb ingredient

Lawyers for the bereaved families highlighted areas where action needed to be taken to protect the safety of the public, including the alleged failure by MI5 and the police to prevent the attacks in 2005.

The recommendations proposed by the relatives also encompass the use of plain English by the emergency services to avoid misunderstandings which could cost lives.

The inquest into the deaths of the 52 innocent victims of the suicide bombings on three Tube trains and a bus has a wide-ranging remit to examine whether the emergency services’ response was adequate and whether MI5 and the police could have prevented the attacks.

The coroner was yesterday hearing submissions about what findings she should make under “Rule 43”, which gives her powers to make recommendations to prevent deaths in the future.

One of the recommendations covers stricter rules on the sale of hydrogen peroxide, the main ingredient in the home-made bombs used in the 7/7 attacks.

Barrister Caoilfhionn Gallagher said Britain had lagged behind other countries in introducing restrictions on the chemical.

Suicide bombers Khan, 30, Shehzad Tanweer, 22, Habib Hussain, 18, all from Leeds, and Jermaine Lindsay, 19, originally from Huddersfield, killed 52 innocent victims when they blew themselves up on London’s public transport network on July 7, 2005 in Britain’s worst single terrorist atrocity.