WARRINGTON South MP David Mowat has urged the Government to take a more active role in the 20-year battle to win compensation for the victims of the Warrington bombing.
Semtex supplied by Libya, under its former dictator Colonel Gaddafi, was used in the bombs used by the IRA to kill 
Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball and injure more than 50 other people in the Bridge Street bombing.
It was also used in the bombs which caused the Lockerbie bombing.
Mr Mowat (pictured) pointed out that the US government is continuing to press hard for payments for the American citizens killed in the Lockerbie bombing.
At question time in the House of Commons, he urged the UK government to become more involved.
Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt said the UK Government already supplied consular and other support for victims pursuing a compensation case, but stopped short of offering the same high-level support to that being given by the US Government.
Mr Burt admitted that the Gaddafi regime had left a “terrible legacy” both in the UK and abroad.
However he added: “It has not been the UK government’s policy to pursue individual compensation claims.”
He said that priority had been given to support all efforts by the post-Gaddafi administration to seek redress, including the public apology for the Warrington outrage, and to help them rebuild their country.
Mr Mowat had asked him to “go the extra mile” and actively support the family of 12-year-old Tim Parry who, along with other familes of IRA victims, have launched a legal claim against the Libyan Government.
Afterwards, Mr Mowat said: “I was disappointed that the minister appeared to confirm my suspicion that the UK government is not pursuing this with the same vigour as the American government.
“I hope that attitude will change and I will continue pressing the matter in the Commons.”
The former Libyan regime supplied the IRA with Semtex in the early 1990s and the deadly explosive was used to commit several attacks on UK civilians, including the Bridge Street bombing.
MP wants more support for bomb victims
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
