Government risks removing vital support for terror victims

The Labour Party has warned the Prime Minister that his failure to keep a promise made to secure funding for the Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation risks removing vital support for terror victims.

Established in the names of the two boys murdered by the IRA in Warrington in 1993, the foundation has provided a free national support service for victims of terrorism in the UK, including trauma-informed health and well-being services. However, funding promised by Boris Johnson in March has not materialised, leaving the future of the service in doubt.

On 7 August, Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Louise Haigh, and Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols met with support workers to see the work that the foundation does supporting victims of terrorism across the country and promoting reconciliation. As part of that visit, they called on the Prime Minister to keep his promise to secure the future of the foundation and the ‘vital’ work they do for victims of terror.

The visit also followed the announcement that Claire Fox, who has never apologised for defending the Warrington bombings, was awarded a peerage. The ennoblement entitles her to up to £313 per-day for attending the House of Lords.

Haigh said: “The Prime Minister has failed to keep the promise he made to victims of terror and to the peace foundation, and this failure risks removing vital support for victims. It is frankly insulting to victims, that at the same time the service they rely on is placed into doubt, a life peerage carrying with it a £313 per day allowance is awarded to Claire Fox who steadfastly refuses to apologise for defending the Warrington Bombings. The Prime Minister can, and must, block her peerage and he can and must secure the future of the foundation.”

Nick Taylor, chief executive of Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball Peace Centre, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome the Shadow Secretary of State, Louise Haigh to the Peace Centre and to tell her about the work the Peace Foundation undertakes to promote reconciliation on our islands and the heath and well-being support we provide to victims of terrorism in Great Britain including those affected by the Troubles.

“Terrorism is a crime that requires specialist niche support for the long-term. This is not general victim support and is a key component part of the UK’s counter terrorism strategy. We have provided that service for two decades. The decision to cease funding in March needs to be reviewed as the care we provide must be secured for the long-term.”