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PM 'did not press Libya over IRA' PM 'did not press Libya over IRA'
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown declined to put formal pressure on Libya to get compensation for IRA victims, No 10 has confirmed.Gordon Brown declined to put formal pressure on Libya to get compensation for IRA victims, No 10 has confirmed.
The victims say Libya should pay compensation because it supplied the IRA with explosives used in atrocities.The victims say Libya should pay compensation because it supplied the IRA with explosives used in atrocities.
Mr Brown told a victims' lawyer it was not "appropriate" to discuss the claims, but aides have denied he was trying to protect oil deals with Libya.Mr Brown told a victims' lawyer it was not "appropriate" to discuss the claims, but aides have denied he was trying to protect oil deals with Libya.
Democratic Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson said the PM should show "compassion" and back victims' claims. Democratic Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson said the PM had done far less for victims than US leaders had.
Mr Brown's office released a letter written by the prime minister to IRA victims' lawyer Jason McCue last October in which Mr Brown wrote that the government did not "consider it appropriate to enter into a bilateral discussion with Libya on this matter".Mr Brown's office released a letter written by the prime minister to IRA victims' lawyer Jason McCue last October in which Mr Brown wrote that the government did not "consider it appropriate to enter into a bilateral discussion with Libya on this matter".
He added that Libya would be "strongly opposed to reopening the issue."He added that Libya would be "strongly opposed to reopening the issue."
In an earlier letter dating from last September, the prime minister told Mr McCue that Libya was now an "essential partner" in the fight against terrorism and it was in the UK's interests for that co-operation to continue.In an earlier letter dating from last September, the prime minister told Mr McCue that Libya was now an "essential partner" in the fight against terrorism and it was in the UK's interests for that co-operation to continue.
American victimsAmerican victims
Mr McCue has been lobbying the government to raise the matter of compensation at the highest levels of the Libyan government.Mr McCue has been lobbying the government to raise the matter of compensation at the highest levels of the Libyan government.
In recent years our relationship with Libya has been fundamentally transformed. They are an essential partner in the fight against terrorism and it is in the UK's interests for this co-operation to continue Gordon Brown's letter to victims' lawyer class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8240230.stm">Full text of PM's letters Many towns and cities across the UK were badly damaged by the Semtex they supplied Northern Ireland Finance Minister Nigel Dodds
His campaign follows out-of-court deals agreed by Libya with three American victims of IRA atrocities.His campaign follows out-of-court deals agreed by Libya with three American victims of IRA atrocities.
More than 100 UK IRA victims, who had been pursuing similar claims through the American courts, had been excluded from those deals.More than 100 UK IRA victims, who had been pursuing similar claims through the American courts, had been excluded from those deals.
Mr Donaldson told the BBC that the US government had "held the Libyan's feet to the fire" in order to win a multi-million pound settlements for its nationals.Mr Donaldson told the BBC that the US government had "held the Libyan's feet to the fire" in order to win a multi-million pound settlements for its nationals.
Mr Brown did not appear to have the same desire to help British victims, he said. "I want to know - and the victims are entitled to know - why Gordon Brown does not have the same desire to stand up for the victims of IRA terrorism as George Bush showed standing up for American victims," he said.
"Can [Mr Brown] not show some compassion and speak up for those victims, approach the Libyan government again and put pressure on them to provide compensation?" he said. "He got a multi-million dollar deal in terms of compensation from the Libyans."
Mr Donaldson is part of a cross-party group of MPs preparing to travel to Tripoli for talks about compensation.
Northern Ireland Finance Minister Nigel Dodds, who is also expected to attend, said: "We believe it is important that the Libyan government hears first-hand why they have a moral obligation to the victims of the IRA.
"Many towns and cities across the UK were badly damaged by the Semtex they supplied and hundreds of lives lost."
The victims' campaign has been boosted by the Scottish government's decision to free Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds.The victims' campaign has been boosted by the Scottish government's decision to free Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds.
In recent years our relationship with Libya has been fundamentally transformed. They are an essential partner in the fight against terrorism and it is in the UK's interests for this co-operation to continue Gordon Brown's letter to victims' lawyer Full text of PM's letters
The victims argue Libya should show similar compassion regarding their demands.The victims argue Libya should show similar compassion regarding their demands.
Deal 'not possible'Deal 'not possible'
In his letters, released by Downing Street on Sunday, Mr Brown set out measures the UK government had taken to help the victims of IRA violence, despite declining to put pressure on Libya directly.In his letters, released by Downing Street on Sunday, Mr Brown set out measures the UK government had taken to help the victims of IRA violence, despite declining to put pressure on Libya directly.
And he told Mr McCue that the government had lobbied the Americans to ensure British victims would be included in any compensation package agreed between the US and Libya.And he told Mr McCue that the government had lobbied the Americans to ensure British victims would be included in any compensation package agreed between the US and Libya.
In the event, however, Mr Brown said "this proved not to be possible".In the event, however, Mr Brown said "this proved not to be possible".
A Downing Street spokesman said suggestions that Mr Brown was keen not to jeopardise oil deals with Libya were untrue.A Downing Street spokesman said suggestions that Mr Brown was keen not to jeopardise oil deals with Libya were untrue.
He said trade considerations were not a factor in the government's decision.He said trade considerations were not a factor in the government's decision.
The spokesman said the government had raised the issue of compensation with Libya informally but it was felt that formal negotiations stood little chance of success.The spokesman said the government had raised the issue of compensation with Libya informally but it was felt that formal negotiations stood little chance of success.