Campaign LAUNCHED as London Bridge terror victims are STILL waiting for Legal Aid!

The partner of a lady dubbed the ‘Angel of London bridge’, following her killing in the London Bridge terror attack of 2017 has since launched a campaign for the victims to receive legal aid. The petition has gained more than a quarter of a million signatures as well as support from a number of MP’s. Mr James Hodder has launched the campaign after his partner and nurse Kirsty Boden who was just 28 years of age was killed in the terror attack prior to the general election on June 2017. She was later dubbed the ‘Angel of London Bridge’ because of her actions when she ran out into the street assist another victim before being fatally stabbed herself.

Mr Hodder’s personal application for legal aid on behalf of his partner to be represented at the inquest into the eight victims’ deaths was rejected part way through proceedings last week. At the Manchester Arena inquest, Paul Greaney QC, alerted many at the pre-inquest hearing that families of Arena victims were also struggling to get a grant of legal aid funding. The judge stated “We understand that certain bereaved families are encountering difficulties in obtaining funding for representation for the inquests from the Legal Aid Agency. In any event, there is a clear public interest in the bereaved families being represented at the inquests in order that they can fully participate.” 

The government has stated that in most cases legal representation is not normally necessary. However, given the emotive aspects of these terror cases, families argue that representation will allow them to limit the worry and stress of the process. Mr Hodder stated “The inquest itself is stressful enough as it is and believe me it is stressful. It’s one of the most stressful things these families will ever have to through, second only to the attack itself.”

Eligibility for legal aid has been a hot topic in recent times. Many have blasted the ministry justice’s decision to allow Lee Rigby’s murderer Michael Adebolago, runaway Jihadi Shamima Begum as well as Islamic hate preacher Anjem Choudary legal aid. News, that is not widely known to the general public of the lack of legal aid for these terror victims is likely to cause further outrage. James Hodder’s legal team have taken his partner’s case on a pro-bono basis; however, some may not be so lucky.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice refused to comment on individual cases but did go on to say that “without legal representation, a defendant could have grounds to appeal and any conviction could be quashed. We understand how distressing the inquest process will be for the relatives of those who died in the Manchester Arena bombing and we’re making changes to ensure there is more legal support for bereaved families. However, our review of legal aid showed that representation for bereaved families is not necessary for the vast majority of inquests.” It has also been widely reported but not confirmed that the widow of Khuram Butt who was one of the terrorists is entitled to legal aid in a separate jury inquest into the deaths of the three perpetrators murderers.

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Oliver Down

Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!

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