Terror survivors set up new lobby group

Survivors of terrorist atrocities committed on British soil and elsewhere will launch a new group to lobby the Government on counter-terror policies and improved support for victims.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jan 2018, 19:31 BST
Updated 28th Jan 2018, 19:37 BST
Jo Berry, daughter of the Conservative politician Sir Anthony Berry who was murdered in the 1984 Brighton bombing, talking to a meeting with Patrick Magee, the republican bomber who planted the deadly deviceJo Berry, daughter of the Conservative politician Sir Anthony Berry who was murdered in the 1984 Brighton bombing, talking to a meeting with Patrick Magee, the republican bomber who planted the deadly device
Jo Berry, daughter of the Conservative politician Sir Anthony Berry who was murdered in the 1984 Brighton bombing, talking to a meeting with Patrick Magee, the republican bomber who planted the deadly device

The Survivors Against Terror group, which is being founded by survivors and bereaved relatives of victims of Islamist bombings, IRA attacks and far-right extremist murders, has urged others to join as it begins life on Monday.

Brendan Cox, the widower of murdered Labour MP Jo Cox, and Mike Haines, whose brother David was beheaded on camera after being held captive by Islamic State in Syria, are among the founders.

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Jo Berry, whose father was killed by the IRA in the Brighton bombing, is also involved.

They said: “Our collective view is that terrorism can be defeated – but only if we pull together as a country to fight it more effectively.

“We will work to build a voice for survivors.”

The group aims to campaign for more effective policies to combat terror and identify gaps in support for victims and the bereaved, as well as help the public tackle hate speech and the terror threat.

The new group also called on social media companies to take stronger action and urged traditional media to treat survivors more respectfully.

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Survivors Against Terror plans to survey a wide group of victims and go into schools to talk about the impact of hatred.

They added: “Terrorism is not a new phenomenon but it continues to cause huge pain and anguish.

“Our country has taken on and defeated bigger threats in the past, and we believe if we work together as a country and look after those bereaved or injured, we can and will defeat this as well.”

Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, welcomed the creation of the new group.

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She said: “I have incredible admiration for the courage and dedication of everyone involved.

“Their ambition to bring positive change as a response to their horrific experiences is truly inspiring.”

More details can be found at www.survivorsagainstterror.org.

Related topics:GovernmentJo CoxTerrorismIRA