British victims of terrorism abroad campaign for government compensation

Victims of the 2005 bombings in a Turkish holiday resort will tonight appear on BBC One’s Real Story programme as part of their fight to push the government to compensate British citizens injured or killed by terrorist acts whilst abroad.  Mickey Aspinall and Toni Punshon are members of a family who were all seriously injured in the terrorist bombing in Turkey.  Like other British victims of terrorism abroad, they have received no compensation for their injuries.   

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) does not compensate these victims and the government’s current review suggests this will not change.  The family are being represented by Jill Greenfield, personal injury solicitor at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP and alongside victims of the bombings in Egypt and Bali, have responded to the government’s review of CICS.  They are pushing to be included in the scheme and expect a response from the Government by the summer.

The victims of the Turkish bombing were travelling in the minibus in which the bomb went off.  One member of the family was killed, the rest of the family (another five) have suffered serious injuries. One member of the family alone has suffered a fractured skull, serious leg injuries, damage to his eye, major bowel damage, a burst ear drum and a serious hand injury.

He requires extensive surgery and treatment and it is unknown whether or not he will return to his work in a factory. The rest of the extended family have also suffered terrible injuries including one child who has suffered hearing damage and must now wait for several months before hearing aids will be made available.

Despite the severity of their injuries, the family have been given no financial support from the government and they fall outside the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The family risk losing their home and bills are mounting up.

Personal injury claims solicitor, Jill Greenfield said: “My clients have financial needs that must be met now. These people were targets of terrorism by virtue of their British citizenship. It is wrong that the damages from this should be borne by the individual. The knowledge that there is no financial safety net for such victims serves the terrorist aims and adds to the general fear caused by terrorism.”

For further press information please contact:
Jill Greenfield 020 7861 4000
Louise Eckersley 020 7861 4000