Let’s not have a Bin Laden shrine in Leeds, say Yorkshire families touched by terror

THE YORKSHIRE father of a man who died in the September 11 attacks today welcomed the news of the death of Osama bin Laden - but said it could not bring closure.

Nigel Thompson, who worked as a stockbroker with Cantor Fitzgerald, died at the age of 33 when the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Centre.

His father Norman, from Sheffield, said: “I’m pleased, definitely. It doesn’t bring our son back - we’ve lost him. People talk of closure. There’s no such thing as closure because we have it every day. It’s one of those difficult things.

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“It would bring justice, definitely, but certainly no closure. It’s an every day trial for us.”

Asked about the likely impact of the death of bin Laden, he said: “I hope it lets things lie a bit but we don’t know really, do we? It might get worse, there might be someone else ready to get into his position but we just have to wait and see.”

Sean Cassidy, whose son Ciaran, 22, was killed in the 7/7 Piccadily line blast, said he was “very happy”.

“It’s a pity there weren’t more of them,” he said.

“It’s been a long time coming and I don’t know how he was able to stay loose.

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“I am very happy, and very well done to the Yanks, they deserve their praise.

“I hope he isn’t allowed a shrine. Surely this is the time to ask some of the (hardline) Muslim leaders if this is a job well done. Ask them in Beeston (Leeds) and Luton, ask if they are happy.”

Mr Cassidy, 63, said bin Laden’s death did not mean an end to terror.

“He was the spiritual leader, not a foot soldier any more. He was like a supreme being.

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“There are plenty more willing to fill his shoes - all those fanatical organisations have their young pretenders.”

David Hartley, whose wife Marie, 34, of Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was killed in the 7/7 attacks, said the news brought no real sense of justice.

He added he was worried there was no shortage of extremist leaders willing to replace him.

“They have got one but there are more behind there,” he said.

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“I can’t see this meaning terrorism is likely to stop there. They might try retaliating a bit more now.

“There is no sense of justice. They have some one but there are plenty of people willing to take his place.

“He is just one of them.”

Betty Hilton, whose son-in-law Robin Larkey was killed in the September 11 attacks, said on hearing the news of Osama bin Laden’s death: “My immediate reaction is, I’m glad. You think - jolly good.

“He was such a dreadful person, I’m sure the world is better off without him. I’m glad, but you often go deeply into thought about 9/11 and wonder who actually was to blame - I don’t know if we are ever going to really know where to lay the blame completely.”

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Mr Larkey, from Surrey, was married to Mrs Hilton’s daughter, Tracy, and worked for Cantor Fitzgerald in the North Tower of the World Trade Centre.

Mrs Hilton, 72, from south-east London, said she was pleased that bin Laden had been killed rather than captured. “When they have trials it goes on for ages. I’m glad, the world doesn’t need him. I hope he doesn’t become a martyr but I suppose it’s a possibility.

“I’m glad he’s no longer here - I just wish my son-in-law could be here.

“I suppose in a way it’s some sort of justice, it makes me feel somebody is maybe paying in some way. But the whole truth of 9/11? I don’t know.”

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Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said: “The news that Osama bin Laden will no longer be able to plan his murderous attacks will be welcomed by people across Britain.

“This is a major blow against al Qaida which will give a sense of justice to the families of bin Laden’s victims but, while this is an important chapter, it is not the end of this story and we have to show continuing vigilance and determination in the face of this threat.”

Former Foreign Office minister Denis MacShane said: “Every decent human being will welcome the end of Osama bin Laden, who led or inspired people to kill in New York or on the London Tube.

“But he was not hiding in Afghanistan and we have to ask if our soldiers should continue to be sacrificed there.

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“Hard questions have to be asked about the Pakistani army and intelligence services, as it appears that bin Laden was living in the equivalent of Aldershot, right in the heart of the Pakistani military establishment.”

Kim Beer, whose hairdresser son Philip, 22, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, was killed in the 2005 attacks on the capital, said: “I am not pleased for anyone to lose their life.”

In a message on Twitter, former foreign secretary David Miliband said: “A day to remember the victims of terrorism and the bravery of our troops. But also a historic chance to build for the future.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “There will be a great sense of relief today that Osama bin Laden, a man who wrought so much destruction and who spread such a vile, hate-filled ideology, can no longer do so.

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“This successful US operation is a major step forward and a serious blow to al Qaida but it does not mean that the struggle against terrorism is over. We will all need to continue to be as vigilant as ever in the fight against terrorism.

“At this time our thoughts go out to all of those in the UK and other countries who have suffered, directly and indirectly, from the violence that bin Laden inflicted on the world.”

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