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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Terror compensation plan unveiled | Terror compensation plan unveiled |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A new scheme to compensate British victims of terrorism abroad has been announced by the government. | A new scheme to compensate British victims of terrorism abroad has been announced by the government. |
| It would apply when people were not covered by schemes in the country where an attack took place. | It would apply when people were not covered by schemes in the country where an attack took place. |
| Currently compensation covers victims who are killed or injured in terrorist incidents in the UK only. | Currently compensation covers victims who are killed or injured in terrorist incidents in the UK only. |
| Although the measures will not be fully retrospective, ministers said victims of terrorism overseas since 2002 would be eligible for compensation. | |
| Details of that part of the scheme would be announced at a later date, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said. | Details of that part of the scheme would be announced at a later date, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said. |
| Injuries suffered | Injuries suffered |
| Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: "Terrorism is intended as a political statement and an attack on society as a whole. | Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: "Terrorism is intended as a political statement and an attack on society as a whole. |
| "Therefore it is right that, as a tangible expression of sympathy, society should compensate the victims of terrorist attacks abroad in recognition of the injuries suffered." | "Therefore it is right that, as a tangible expression of sympathy, society should compensate the victims of terrorist attacks abroad in recognition of the injuries suffered." |
| The government said the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme would broadly mirror the existing domestic criminal injuries compensation scheme which operates in England, Scotland and Wales. | The government said the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme would broadly mirror the existing domestic criminal injuries compensation scheme which operates in England, Scotland and Wales. |
| The amount of compensation would be calculated according to a tariff based on the seriousness of injury. | The amount of compensation would be calculated according to a tariff based on the seriousness of injury. |
| 'Ongoing consequences' | 'Ongoing consequences' |
| The scheme was announced by Mr Johnson, Mr Straw, Foreign Secretary David Milliband and Humanitarian Assistance Minister Tessa Jowell. | The scheme was announced by Mr Johnson, Mr Straw, Foreign Secretary David Milliband and Humanitarian Assistance Minister Tessa Jowell. |
| It will cover terrorist incidents abroad with immediate effect. | It will cover terrorist incidents abroad with immediate effect. |
| The scheme will also apply to victims of attacks since January 2002 in recognition of those who "continue to face hardship as a result of the ongoing consequences of a disability arising from the injuries they sustained". | The scheme will also apply to victims of attacks since January 2002 in recognition of those who "continue to face hardship as a result of the ongoing consequences of a disability arising from the injuries they sustained". |
| It will be contained in the Crime and Security Bill which is currently making its way through Parliament, and be administered by the Glasgow-based Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. | It will be contained in the Crime and Security Bill which is currently making its way through Parliament, and be administered by the Glasgow-based Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. |
| Incidents where UK victims of terrorism abroad and their families have campaigned for compensation include attacks in Mumbai in 2008, Sharm al-Sheikh in 2005, and Bali in 2002. | Incidents where UK victims of terrorism abroad and their families have campaigned for compensation include attacks in Mumbai in 2008, Sharm al-Sheikh in 2005, and Bali in 2002. |
| 'Rollercoaster ride' | 'Rollercoaster ride' |
| Trevor Lakin, from Peterborough, has campaigned for a compensation scheme since his son Jeremy Lakin, 28, and his son's girlfriend Annalie Vickers were among the Britons killed in Sharm al-Sheikh. | Trevor Lakin, from Peterborough, has campaigned for a compensation scheme since his son Jeremy Lakin, 28, and his son's girlfriend Annalie Vickers were among the Britons killed in Sharm al-Sheikh. |
| The father was in the House of Commons to hear Mr Johnson make the announcement. | The father was in the House of Commons to hear Mr Johnson make the announcement. |
| Mr Lakin told the BBC News website: "It's absolutely brilliant. We've been fighting for four-and-a-half years to get this. | Mr Lakin told the BBC News website: "It's absolutely brilliant. We've been fighting for four-and-a-half years to get this. |
| "We came very close before Christmas but that failed because the MoD wanted to clarify the position of military personnel. | "We came very close before Christmas but that failed because the MoD wanted to clarify the position of military personnel. |
| "We were aware things were about to happen and I travelled down to London to actually sit in the House to hear Alan Johnson say that. It's fantastic." | "We were aware things were about to happen and I travelled down to London to actually sit in the House to hear Alan Johnson say that. It's fantastic." |
| He added: "We always knew that retrospectivity was difficult but I think the government realised that since 9/11 there were issue for victims. | He added: "We always knew that retrospectivity was difficult but I think the government realised that since 9/11 there were issue for victims. |
| "There was no way we could stand by and do nothing for all those who have suffered. | "There was no way we could stand by and do nothing for all those who have suffered. |
| "It's been a rollercoaster ride trying to persuade the powers that be that those affected deserve support." | "It's been a rollercoaster ride trying to persuade the powers that be that those affected deserve support." |