Wirral bomb victim's compensation campaign

Jul 2 2008 by Sue McCann, Birkenhead News

A WIRRAL man who lost both legs in the July 7 London bombings is leading a campaign to secure adequate compensation for all the “forgotten” victims of terrorism.

Andy Brown, a facilities planner at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, will meet Justice Secretary Jack Straw to press for a 5p-per-week levy on all taxpayers to create an annual £130m redress fund.

Father-of-three Andy and his wif Jan believe such a fund would ensure future survivors of terrorist attacks do not suffer their painful – and, so far, unsuccessful – fight for full compensation.

The Browns asked for £1.7m to reflect loss of earnings, the cost of long-term care and of buying a new home adapted for a wheelchair user – but compensation is capped at just £500,000.

As a result, they still live in the same Victorian home in Oxton, where Andy sleeps in the dining room because he is unable to get upstairs.

In a meeting early next month, they will urge Mr Straw to look again at their case and to explore the 5p-a-week levy, an idea devised with the help of their MP Frank Field.

Meanwhile, Jan received a personal telephone call from Gordon Brown, after she wrote to the Prime Minister to praise his controversial Bill to detain terror suspects for 42 days without charge.

Jan, 51, said: “We are having this meeting for everybody who is a victim of a terrorist attack – not just us. Everyone seems to have forgotten about the victims of the bombings and about terrorism, which is wrong

“The injuries someone suffers when they are blown apart on a train or bus – by someone trying to kill as many people as possible – are totally different to having a car accident.

“Hopefully, there will not be any more terrorist bombings, but I fear there probably will be, so there needs to be a much better compensation scheme in place.”

Andy, 52, was in London for a business conference when his lower legs were blown off by the bomb blast at Liverpool Street station. He spent two months at the Royal London Hospital before returning to Wirral and, despite the need for constant further treatment, to his job at JLA.