This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8059148.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Battle to compensate terror victims Battle to compensate terror victims
(4 days later)
By Tom Warren BBC News UK victims of the Bali bombing did not get government compensationBy Tom Warren BBC News UK victims of the Bali bombing did not get government compensation
For years UK victims of overseas terror attacks and their families have battled to get compensation.For years UK victims of overseas terror attacks and their families have battled to get compensation.
Now a man whose son was killed in the Sharm al-Sheikh bombings in July 2005 is calling for campaign groups to join together to lobby the government.Now a man whose son was killed in the Sharm al-Sheikh bombings in July 2005 is calling for campaign groups to join together to lobby the government.
Four years ago Trevor Lakin's life was torn apart when his son was killed in a terrorist attack in Egypt.Four years ago Trevor Lakin's life was torn apart when his son was killed in a terrorist attack in Egypt.
Jeremy Lakin, 28, and his girlfriend Annalie Vickers were among 11 Brits killed in the bomb blasts, while they were on holiday in the resort of Sharm al-Sheikh.Jeremy Lakin, 28, and his girlfriend Annalie Vickers were among 11 Brits killed in the bomb blasts, while they were on holiday in the resort of Sharm al-Sheikh.
Since then Mr Lakin, from south Lincolnshire, has actively campaigned for better treatment of victims of international terrorism.Since then Mr Lakin, from south Lincolnshire, has actively campaigned for better treatment of victims of international terrorism.
The next time something happens I don't want the guilt, knowing full well what people are going to go through, and knowing I did nothing about it Trevor LakinThe next time something happens I don't want the guilt, knowing full well what people are going to go through, and knowing I did nothing about it Trevor Lakin
Currently the UK government does not guarantee compensation for people injured in attacks abroad.Currently the UK government does not guarantee compensation for people injured in attacks abroad.
Victims of the 7 July bomb attacks in London received money from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. But those hurt outside the UK are not eligible.Victims of the 7 July bomb attacks in London received money from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. But those hurt outside the UK are not eligible.
It is a situation which angers many, as other countries such as Australia, France and Israel have schemes in place offering financial support for their citizens.It is a situation which angers many, as other countries such as Australia, France and Israel have schemes in place offering financial support for their citizens.
Mr Lakin, 60, says he is not interested in gaining money for his family, but wants to raise awareness of the plight of people affected by terror attacks.Mr Lakin, 60, says he is not interested in gaining money for his family, but wants to raise awareness of the plight of people affected by terror attacks.
He is currently attending a conference in Turin, Italy, to speak about the rights of victims with Foundation for Peace, a charity set up by the family of Tim Parry, who was killed in the IRA bombing of Warrington in 1993.He is currently attending a conference in Turin, Italy, to speak about the rights of victims with Foundation for Peace, a charity set up by the family of Tim Parry, who was killed in the IRA bombing of Warrington in 1993.
Trevor Lakin wants to help other families affected by terrorismTrevor Lakin wants to help other families affected by terrorism
Many who survive bomb blasts require expensive care for the rest of their lives, but often have to find the money themselves.Many who survive bomb blasts require expensive care for the rest of their lives, but often have to find the money themselves.
Mr Lakin, and many others, believe this is an injustice.Mr Lakin, and many others, believe this is an injustice.
"Jack Straw has announced he has set up a working group for victims of overseas terrorism," he said."Jack Straw has announced he has set up a working group for victims of overseas terrorism," he said.
"It's seven years late, Bali victims [hurt in the 2002 bombing] still aren't getting anything."It's seven years late, Bali victims [hurt in the 2002 bombing] still aren't getting anything.
"If we can use one organisation to represent everyone then that would be great.""If we can use one organisation to represent everyone then that would be great."
Will Pike, 29, from Stanmore, north-west London, was injured in last year's Mumbai attack and left paralysed from the waist down. Will Pike, 29, from Camden, north London, was injured in last year's Mumbai attack and left paralysed from the waist down.
He has been offered £15,000 from a British Red Cross aid fund and his family is now raising money to help him rebuild his life.He has been offered £15,000 from a British Red Cross aid fund and his family is now raising money to help him rebuild his life.
'One voice''One voice'
Mr Pike said: "Because we were British nationals we were targeted. We had holiday insurance but they don't cover terrorism."Mr Pike said: "Because we were British nationals we were targeted. We had holiday insurance but they don't cover terrorism."
"Surely there has got to be a look at the change in policy for British people for when they go on holiday and are affected by terrorism?""Surely there has got to be a look at the change in policy for British people for when they go on holiday and are affected by terrorism?"
Mr Lakin has spoken to the Pike family and many other victims and their families who have suffered in atrocities, including the Bali bombings.Mr Lakin has spoken to the Pike family and many other victims and their families who have suffered in atrocities, including the Bali bombings.
"My son is never coming back. I'm not putting myself up for glory, the next time something happens I don't want the guilt, knowing full well what people are going to go through, and knowing I did nothing about it," Mr Lakin said."My son is never coming back. I'm not putting myself up for glory, the next time something happens I don't want the guilt, knowing full well what people are going to go through, and knowing I did nothing about it," Mr Lakin said.
Will Pike was seriously injured in the Mumbai attacksWill Pike was seriously injured in the Mumbai attacks
"There's no coordinated response to give the individuals all the support they need and when they need it."There's no coordinated response to give the individuals all the support they need and when they need it.
"I think getting us all around the same table as one voice would have a bigger impact.""I think getting us all around the same table as one voice would have a bigger impact."
Sue Cooper, from Folkestone, Kent, whose brother Paul Hussey died in the Bali bombings, said she believed people killed or hurt in the atrocity and their families were "forgotten" victims of terrorism.Sue Cooper, from Folkestone, Kent, whose brother Paul Hussey died in the Bali bombings, said she believed people killed or hurt in the atrocity and their families were "forgotten" victims of terrorism.
"No one ever seems to mention Bali and there were 28 Brits killed," she said."No one ever seems to mention Bali and there were 28 Brits killed," she said.
"We have suffered badly health-wise and it all stems back to the stress we've had and my business suffers."We have suffered badly health-wise and it all stems back to the stress we've had and my business suffers.
"We have got to get strength in numbers.""We have got to get strength in numbers."
Lawyer Jill Greenfield, a partner at Field Fisher Waterhouse, represents five people hurt in the Kusadasi bombing in Turkey, in July 2005.Lawyer Jill Greenfield, a partner at Field Fisher Waterhouse, represents five people hurt in the Kusadasi bombing in Turkey, in July 2005.
'More to do''More to do'
She said: "I understand the government is very much on board [to set up a compensation scheme], the problem is sorting out the finances.She said: "I understand the government is very much on board [to set up a compensation scheme], the problem is sorting out the finances.
"[British tourists] are easy targets. We need a final push to get this sorted out.""[British tourists] are easy targets. We need a final push to get this sorted out."
A spokeswoman for the Department for Culture Media and Sport said: "The government has taken a number of steps to provide emotional and practical support to those affected.A spokeswoman for the Department for Culture Media and Sport said: "The government has taken a number of steps to provide emotional and practical support to those affected.
"These include the British Red Cross Charitable fund which was launched in 2007 with a Government donation of £1m."These include the British Red Cross Charitable fund which was launched in 2007 with a Government donation of £1m.
"However, we recognise that more still needs to be done to ensure that victims of terrorist incidents overseas are treated in the same way as those affected by such incidents in the UK.""However, we recognise that more still needs to be done to ensure that victims of terrorist incidents overseas are treated in the same way as those affected by such incidents in the UK."