PM pledges national memorial as UK marks first terror victims day
The UK's first national day for victims and survivors of terrorism is marked with a London ceremony, as the PM promises to consult on a permanent memorial and survivors demand better compensation.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The United Kingdom held its first national day for victims and survivors of terrorism on [date]. A ceremony at Lancaster House in London brought together survivors, bereaved families, and first responders. The Prime Minister used the occasion to pledge that the government would consult on creating a permanent national memorial in their honour.
The day was the culmination of years of campaigning by survivors and relatives, who have argued that the state has not done enough to recognise their suffering. Among those attending were Travis Frayne, seriously injured in the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack, and Figen Murray, whose son Martin was killed in the Manchester Arena bombing. Thelma Stober, who lost a leg in the 7/7 bombings in 2005, said the day was a "momentous moment" but stressed that more support was needed.
A report by the group Survivors Against Terror, co-authored by Brendan Cox, the widower of the murdered MP Jo Cox, found that the compensation scheme for victims was "unfit for purpose". It said survivors were being treated like criminals and forced to prove obvious injuries. Polly Brooks, who survived the 2002 Bali bombings, said victims should not have to "jump through hoops" for help. The government said that last year more than £180 million was paid to victims of violent crime, including terrorism.
In his speech, the Prime Minister said: "Your voices must be at the heart of every decision about how we remember and recognise those affected by terrorism." He also said the government would "fight for" survivors. The day will now be commemorated annually in a different UK city each year.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC One | Channel 4 | ITV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A national day of recognition for terror attack victims and survivors is the first of its kind. | · | |||
| A report co-authored by Brendan Cox found that terror attack survivors are being failed on a wide scale. | · | · | ||
| Survivors described the compensation scheme as dehumanising, unfit for purpose, and in need of an overhaul. | · | · | ||
| Survivors said the government should support citizens affected by terror and that they should receive automatic help. | · | · | ||
| The Prime Minister said he would look into creating a national memorial and consult on a permanent one. | · | · | ||
| A report by Survivors Against Terror urged the government to do more for survivors. | · | · | · | |
| A two-minute silence will be observed every year as part of the national day. | · | · | · | |
| Figen Murray campaigned for Martin's Law, which would require public venues to have emergency and security measures. | · | · | · | |
| Hekmat Omar Ali Kahim was charged with failing to disclose information regarding terrorist activity. | · | · | · | |
| Melvin Kravitz was killed in the Heaton Park synagogue attack because he was Jewish. | · | · | · | |
| Survivors called for more compensation and support for victims of terrorism. | · | · | · | |
| The day aims to ensure those affected by terrorism are not forgotten and to raise awareness about preventing terrorist attacks. | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV1's coverage combined the national day with a detailed report on the murder of Melvin Kravitz in the Heaton Park synagogue attack, highlighting the personal impact of terrorism and the ongoing police investigation. They also reported the PM's pledge and the charge against a man in connection with the attack. Their tone was emotive, focusing on the human stories behind the national day.
- “The Prime Minister today helped mark the first ever national day for victims and survivors of terrorism, and said he'd look into creating a national memorial in their honour.”
- “I don't want what happened to Melvin to ever be forgotten because that is a moment that changed Jewish society, British society.”
- “Could it have been prevented? Could he have survived? And if anywhere the answer is even a small yes, then from that lessons need to be learnt.”
Channel 5's coverage focused on the survivors' experiences and the need for better support, with interviews with Travis Frayne, Figen Murray, and Thelma Stober. They highlighted the emotional impact and the campaign for recognition, and reported the PM's speech.
- “Today is the first ever national day for victims and survivors of terrorism. Behind me is the Prime Minister speaking at an event in London this afternoon that recognised the contribution of survivors, families and first responders.”
- “Terrorists are there to try and divide the nation to cause division in the community, to cause hatred and anger, but to me a day like today is proof that love always conquers.”
- “I don't know of any victim or survivor of a family of bereave who are sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves. We don't.”
BBC's coverage was comprehensive, focusing on the national day ceremony, the compensation criticism, and the government's response. They included interviews with multiple survivors and the report by Survivors Against Terror, and highlighted the PM's pledge to consult on a memorial.
- “Survivors of terror attacks say they're being let down and dehumanised by the process for claiming compensation from the government.”
- “The Prime Minister has pledged to consult the victims and survivors of terrorism on the creation of a permanent national memorial.”
- “You can only claim for the top three injuries for example when many of the survivors have got hundreds of injuries all around their body.”
Channel 4's coverage was concise, focusing on the PM's announcement of a consultation on a permanent memorial and the criticism from survivors. They included brief interviews with Lockerbie and 7/7 relatives, and highlighted the need for action.
- “The prime minister has said he will consult survivors and victims of terrorism about creating a permanent national memorial at a special ceremony marking the uk's inaugural day for those impacted by terror attacks”
- “a report published by survivors against terror has urged the government to do more”
- “the compensation system is unfit for purpose it is making people feel like criminals”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.