Victims of IRA’s attack on Harrods seek payout from Libya over Semtex

The aftermath of the IRA car bombing of Knightsbridge department store Harrods
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Victims of IRA terrorism in London have stepped up calls for compensation from Libya following a memorial service at Harrods.

Survivors and relatives gathered on the anniversary of a bomb exploding outside the store on December 17, 1983.

Susanne Dodd, whose father Inspector Stephen Dodd was one of six people killed as he tried to evacuate the area, called on the Government to honour a promise to seek payouts from Libya.

“He gave up his life to save the lives of many innocent people in this attack,” said Ms Dodd, seven at the time. “I feel sad the UK Government dishonoured him and other victims killed and maimed by Gaddafi Semtex. It has been very distressing to know US [victims] received substantial compensation … and UK victims received nothing.”

A spate of IRA attacks were carried out with Semtex explosives smuggled from Libya on the orders of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “The former foreign secretary appointed a special representative for UK victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism in March 2019 … We are committed to supporting the victims and continue to believe that the Libyan government has a responsibility to address this matter.”

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