Conservatives have criticised the Government’s decision to rule out a public inquiry into the terror bombing attacks on London last summer.
Shadow Homeland Security Minister Patrick Mercer has warned that the promise of a straight written report of events on July 7, in which 52 people died, is inadequate, and called instead for an independent investigation.
And while praising the work of the security services, he said: “We acknowledge that the intelligence services have foiled many attacks extremely successfully, and we would not wish in any way to detract from those successes.
“However, we want an inquiry independent of Government. That independent inquiry should ask questions about the surveillance of the suspects before the attack, the lowering of the level of alert five weeks before the attack, and links between home-grown and international terrorists.”
Mr Mercer said that in addition, an independent probe should also examine any links between the perpetrators of the July 7 attack and the perpetrators of the attempted attack on July 21.”
The attacks by four suicide bombers on three Tube trains and a bus in London on July 7 claimed 52 lives, and injured hundreds more people. Although Home Secretary Charles Clarke said in September that a public inquiry had not been ruled out, the Home Office has now indicated that it would divert attention and resources away from security issues, and take too long to complete.
Instead, senior officials will compile a narrative of events, drawing together material provided by the police and intelligence agencies.
Mr Mercer called for greater clarity and said that while “we don’t want to apportion blame, we must learn the lessons”.