Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has said he is ‘horrified’ at revelations which came out of today’s Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, where Jack Straw was giving evidence.
Lord Empey said:
“I was horrified at the lack of priority given to the interests of the victims of Gadaffi sponsored terrorism in the UK. It was clear throughout that other interests took centre stage during this murky period of British foreign policy.
“Jack Straw today re-enforced the feeling amongst victims that they were expendable. To argue that as many victims already had received UK compensation their cases were less of a priority was outrageous.
“Mr Straw failed to note that the compensation they were paid came from UK taxpayers. Gadaffi got away with it. Boat loads of weapons were sent by him and these weapons gave the IRA tremendous leverage.
“The fact that he also mentioned support for the IRA coming from leading members of US Congress added another dimension to his incredible story.
“A Bill that I have introduced in the Lords is due for its committee stage next month. The Bill is designed to free up some of the £9.5 billion of Gadaffi frozen assets in London for the benefit of victims of Libyan sponsored terrorism.
“I hope that my Bill will receive support from across the political spectrum, so that justice is done and victims are appropriately compensated.”
ENDS