Families of London Bridge terror victims refused legal aid as lawyers condemn ‘insulting’ policy
FAMILIES of London Bridge terror victims have been refused legal aid as lawyers condemn the "insulting" policy.
It comes as an eight-week inquest into the June 2017 rampage draws to a close.
Three terrorists killed eight people and injured 48 as they sped over London Bridge in a van before attacking revellers with hunting knives on the night of June 3 2017.
Grieving relatives coming to terms with their loss have now been told inquests won't be state-funded, and that they are not entitled to legal aid as it is "not in the public interest".
Lawyers said that despite turning down victims' requests for legal aid, Government agencies have used public funds to hire some of the best legal teams to represent their interests in court.
Yasmin Waljee, senior counsel at Hogan Lovells, which is representing families of six of the victims, described the situation as “deeply disturbing”.
'EXTRAORDINARY'
“Their legal aid applications have been turned down on the basis that it would not be in the wider public interest," Ms Waljee told .
"The idea that the state believes families should handle a complex inquest of significant public interest without help is an extraordinary position to take.
"These families are expected to represent themselves if firms do not step in and take on their cases pro bono.”
The idea that the state believes families should handle a complex inquest of significant public interest without help is an extraordinary position to take
Yasmin Waljee, senior counsel at Hogan Lovells
More than 40 MPs have signed a motion demanding that the families of those killed in terrorist attacks are automatically given non-means-tested funding.
Stephen Lloyd MP, who tabled the motion, told : “The Ministry of Justice’s approach to the matter is an insult to all those who have lost loved ones in tragedies such as these.
"French citizens, for example, if caught up in terrorist attacks, are automatically entitled to state-funded legal representation in court proceedings.”
Hogan Lovells is planning to resubmit their requests for funding.
Extremists granted funding
- Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, the two men who murdered Fusilier Lee Rigby in 2013, received a total of £212,613.32 in legal aid.
- Hate preacher Anjem Choudary, whose disciples included London Bridge attacker Khuram Butt and was convicted of terrorism offences in 2016, received £97,617 in legal aid.
- ISIS bride Shamima Begum has been granted legal aid to fight to bring back British citizenship.
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Families of victims of the Westminster attack of March 2017 have also been told that they are unlikely to receive funding for last year's inquest.
Ms Waljee has reminded government “has a duty to all victims of terrorism”.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: “Our thoughts remain with those who lost loved ones and while our review showed that legal representation is not necessary for bereaved families at the vast majority of inquests, we are making changes to ensure there’s more support for them.”
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