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IRA victims claim a share of Libyan frozen assets as compensation

A victims’ campaigner has claimed to MPs that a secret deal between the UK and Libya blocked a compensation package for IRA attacks during the Troubles, according to the BBC news.

Kenny Donaldson said he spoke to a senior Libyan bank official who is “vociferous” that the matter is closed.

He said he was told “a diplomatic outcome” was reached years ago.

“There is a reason why compensation is not being pursued,” he said.

Campaigner Jonathan Ganesh said: “Our government has disgraced victims. They fought for trade deals more than they fought for victims.”

DUP MP Gregory Campbell, a member of the committee, said the government had “behaved exceptionally badly”.

He added: “The current position is untenable and unjustifiable and they need to hear that message.”

Last month the government said it was unable in law to use £12bn of Libyan assets frozen in the UK to make payments.

Campaigners said, however, freeing those assets should be conditional on a compensation package for bereaved families and victims.

The government is also using £5m a year in tax revenue from the assets for other things.

It has told victims to pursue Libya themselves and to apply for payments from the new Troubles pension scheme.

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