July 7 survivors launch legal action

Legal action has been launched against the Government by victims of the July 7 bombings.

A lawyer for bereaved relatives and survivors of the 2005 atrocities has applied for a judicial review of the Government's continued refusal not to hold an inquiry into the attacks

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair ruled out such a move in May but did ask Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee to review MI5's handling of intelligence about two of the July 7 bombers.

The decision came after it emerged MI5 had observed ringleader Mohammed Sidique Khan and sidekick Shehzad Tanweer while investigating another group of plotters.

James Oury of Oury Clark Solicitors, which represents the victims, said: "The Government's position has resulted in a group of still-suffering victims of this public tragedy being manoeuvred into a litigation arena so not to be further disadvantaged.

"Our clients are disappointed and saddened by this. They feel an inquiry is a matter of essential public interest in order to improve the protection of all individuals whose lives remain at risk as a result of the ongoing threat of terrorism."

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