The Coroner, Lady Justice Hallett, has delivered her verdict after the inquests into the London Bombings of 7th July 2005. The inquests started on 11th October 2010 and ended on 3rd March 2011.
The verdict in each case of the 52 people who died was ‘unlawful killing’ with the medical cause of deaths recorded as ‘injuries caused by an explosion’.
The most important people at the centre of these inquests was the families of the 52 innocent people murdered by four suicide bombers ( Mohammed Siddique Khan (“Khanâ€), Shehzad Tanweer, Jermaine Lindsay and Hasib Hussain).
I am glad the inquests are over for the families. It must have been emotionally exhausting and upsetting beyond belief to relive that day, over and over, as witness after witness took the stand.
The fact that they did that for their loved ones shows remarkable dignity and courage.
LAS UNISON will respect the Coroner’s report and will play our part in implementing any changes that need to be made in view of the recommendations.
We will do this to improve our Service, our response and better support for staff but with the hope that we never, ever again, experience such a day.
The staff of the London Ambulance Service, the majority being UNISON members, stepped up to the plate that day and did their very best under horrendous, unprecedented, conditions.Â
They did an excellent job, in many cases over and above what was expected of them, and we should never lose sight of that.
So on the day that the verdicts are announced we remember the dead, pay respect to the families, but also pay tribute and be proud of what our members, our Service and other public sector workers did that day.
You can find the Coroner’s report here:
http://7julyinquests.independent.gov.uk/docs/orders/rule43-report.pdf
Eric Roberts
Branch Secretary
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