Fury at legal aid for Manchester bomber’s brother
Families blast ‘insult’ as they face missing out
ViCTiMS of the Manchester arena terror attack have condemned the decision to grant the bomber’s brother legal aid as ‘an insult’.
it comes as survivors and relatives of the 22 people killed struggle for help with legal representation at an inquest next year.
They are being made to complete intrusive questionnaires asking for details of all their assets worth over £500.
But yesterday it emerged that Hashem abedi, 22, whose brother Salman blew himself up at an ariana grande concert on May 22, 2017, will be represented by taxpayer-funded lawyers.
He was extradited to the UK from libya last month and faces charges of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion.
robby Potter, who survived being blasted through the heart with shrapnel, said: ‘ it’s yet another kick to the victims when they’re down. Why should he get legal aid?’
Mr Potter, of Prenton, Wirral, added: ‘for the victims and their families, it should not matter how much is in their bank account. The country should be looking after the victims.’
Brendan Cox – the husband of murdered labour MP Jo – has been helping the families through his campaign group Survivors against Terror. He told The Sun: ‘To deny survivors legal aid while you provide it for terror suspects is as unfair and twisted as it sounds.’
The problems faced by the families in obtaining legal aid were revealed by barrister Paul greaney QC at a pre-inquest review last Monday.
He said unfunded legal work had been going on ‘for some time’ and added: ‘Bereaved families are experiencing difficulties in obtaining funding from the legal aid agency.’
as part of a 17-page questionnaire issued by the legal aid agency, applicants must declare any ‘valuable possessions’ worth more than £500 that could be sold to help cover costs.
They are also being asked whether they own a car or a timeshare, if they have children or a partner in employment.
The questions have been described as ‘cruel and intrusive’ by the charity inquest, which supports bereaved families.
The legal aid agency has come under fire for granting legal aid to jihadi bride Shamima Begum, 19, who hopes to fight the decision to revoke her British citizenship.
Michael adebolajo and Michael adebowale, who murdered soldier lee rigby in 2013, received a total of £212,613.32. But the families of the victims of the london Bridge terror attack, which claimed eight lives in 2017, were denied legal aid at the inquest earlier this year.
abedi, who is due to go on trial at the Old Bailey in november, is expected to run up a bill of hundreds of thousands of pounds. He has already been represented by QCs Zafar ali and richard Wright.
The Ministry of Justice, which oversees legal aid, says it has to fund representation for defendants to ensure trials are fair.