Home > Blair rules out bomb inquiry
By Jamie Lyons in London
BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair today will dismiss calls for an inquiry into the London terror attacks.
The Conservatives have called for a probe to see if anything could have been done to prevent the bombings.
But the Prime Minister will use a Commons statement to underline his confidence in the intelligence services and reject demands for an inquiry.
Mr Blair said at the weekend that "all the surveillance in the world" would not stop terrorists determined to attack Britain.
Last night a Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister has confidence in the intelligence services and he won’t be holding an inquiry".
Mr Blair will make the statement to update MPs on the atrocity.
He is also expected to issue a defiant message to the terrorists behind the bombings, saying they will not divide Britain and the country will not be cowed by their actions.
The Prime Minister is also expected to chair a meeting of Cobra, the civil contingencies committee.
Mr Blair’s statement comes after Home Secretary Charles Clarke yesterday warned that those behind the attacks could be planning further strikes on Britain.
He said the terrorists could strike again if they are not caught. Clarke said he was "very optimistic indeed" they would be tracked down. But he warned it would take time to find them.
"Our fear is, of course, of more attacks until we succeed in tracking down the gang that committed the atrocities on Thursday," he said.
"That is why the number one priority has to be the catching of the perpetrators."
Defence Secretary John Reid underlined Clarke’s warning.
"Those who carried out this terrible act may well try to carry it out again," he told Sky News.
Mr Clarke said on the the BBC News 24 Sunday program that he was confident people would be brought to justice for the London attacks.
"I am very optimistic indeed," he said.
"The track record of our security services in bringing people to justice is good. The problem is the time it takes and... the difficulties of actually getting to the forensic evidence which is needed to do that.
"But it will be painstaking, efficient and I am confident we will bring the perpetrators to justice in the end."
Mr Blair will also make a statement to MPs on the achievements of last week’s G8 summit in Gleneagles.
At the close of the summit Blair said a $US50 billion ($67.42 billion) aid package for Africa would help "lift the shadow of terrorism".
In Gleneagles the Prime Minister contrasted the aims of the assembled world leaders with those behind the London bombings.
Forum posts
13 July 2005, 15:47
Do they ever think up a NEW way to cheat the public? As I recall, W fought against forming a panel for a 911 Inquiry-until he realized if he didn’t, it was going to look really suspicious.