Tuesday’s Guardian reports that some families of those who died in the July London subway bombings will boycott the November 1st service because they are enraged with Prime Minister Tony Blair’s support of the Iraq war, which they see as the catalyst for the attacks. Others are angry about the lack of support received through the criminal compensation program following the terrorist attacks that killed 52 people and injured hundreds.
One father has decided to attend with the hope of giving Blair a piece of his mind:
Sean Cassidy, whose son, Ciaran, 24, was killed in the Russell Square bomb, said he would attend the service today with his wife, Veronica, and daughter, Lisa, because he hoped to be able to speak to Mr Blair to express his anger.
“As far as I am concerned there would be no memorial service if it wasn’t for the war in Iraq,” he said. “I never thought of not going because I want to speak to Mr Blair to have a little chat about the war. I am not sure what the protocol will be but I would like to speak to him. Everyone knows the war made us more vulnerable to attack, but Mr Blair won’t say it. There are some families who say they aren’t going because they are angry at the lack of support from the government. I am still very angry, it just doesn’t go away, it just comes to you every couple of hours. You just can’t get away from it.”
May Mr Cassidy have his opportunity to speak to Mr Blair.
The ripple effects of the Fitzgerald investigation are also being felt in Britain as they add salt to the freshly opened wounds, according to the Sunday Herald:
THE fall-out from the Plame affair now engulfing Washington will extend to Britain. But there may be one significant difference in the way the two leaders, Bush and Blair, will be affected. Iraq has already severely damaged Tony Blair; his association with George W Bush and US foreign policy has already weakened him. Bush may still be expecting worse is to come. For Blair, Iraq and its fall-out has all but destroyed his legacy.
Bush’s illegal war in Iraq has affected the lives of millions around the globe. Both he and Blair deserve a legacy of shame.
Please take a moment on Tuesday to remember the victims, their families and all who grieve. Thank you.
