Ulster Unionist MP Danny Kinahan has called on former Prime Minister Tony Blair to accept the invitation of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee to come before them to assist with their Inquiry into the use of semtex supplied to the IRA by Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

Mr Kinahan, a member of the Committee, said:

“The Chair and members of the NI Affairs Committee have been working on behalf of the victims of Libyan-supplied semtex for the past number of months and we have now reached the stage in our Inquiry that requires input from former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

“I believe his experience of the Gaddafi regime could be crucial to understanding why the families of victims of Libyan terrorism - such as WPC Yvonne Fletcher and the victims of the Lockerbie disaster - rightly and deservedly received compensation, but the families of the victims of Libyan-supplied semtex have not. Is it not correct that these families should be treated with the same dignity and respect?

“I recognise that Mr Blair recently touched upon the issue at a Foreign Affairs Select Committee but I appeal to him to assist us and the victims’ families by addressing our concerns in front of the NI Affairs Committee. An acceptance of this invitation would mean a great deal to all involved directly and indirectly with this inquiry and would hopefully contribute towards a conclusion that would see so many families receive the treatment they deserve. I want to see an end game leading to the Government developing a comprehensive strategy to ensure that all victims of terrorism receive the full attention, care and support of their country.”