The Daily Telegraph, 11/7/2005

New anti-terror laws could be brought forward

Tony Blair has said further anti-terrorist measures will be introduced in the aftermath of the London terror bombings.

He signalled that the Government was prepared to bring forward new anti-terror laws, ahead of those already planned for next spring, if it became clear they were needed.

The Prime Minister told the House of Commons no specific intelligence had been available to allow officials to prevent last Thursday's attacks.

A memorial service will be held, attended by the Queen, while two-minutes of silence will be observed at midday on Thursday.

The Prime Minister praised the "magnificent" work of the emergency services and the "steely determination that is truly remarkable" of Londoners in getting back to business.

"The 7th of July will always be remembered as a day of terrible sadness for the country," Mr Blair said.

The London bombings were a "murderous carnage of the innocent," he added.

But he said the country had "come together" and had shown "familiar confidence".

"We are united in our determination that our country will not be defeated by such terror, but will defeat it and emerge from this horror with our values, our way of life, our tolerance and respect for others undiminished," Mr Blair added.

A total of 56 victims remain in hospital, some severely injured, while police family liaison officers are helping 74 families.

The manhunt is "vigorous and intense" and the police "will not rest" until those who carried out the attacks are brought to justice, he said.

He again blamed Islamist extremists "of the kind who over recent years have been responsible for so many innocent deaths, in Madrid, Bali, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan, Yemen, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, of course in New York on September 11, but in many other countries too".

But he went out of his way to reassure the Muslim community in Britain. "People know full well that the overwhelming majority of Muslims stand four square with every other community in Britain," he said.

George W Bush, US President, said America is standing alongside Britain in the fight against terror, and has vowed "take the fight" to the terrorists behind the London attacks.

Speaking at an FBI training academy in Virginia, Mr Bush said he would continue to fight "until this enemy is defeated."

"In London the terrorists were killing innocent men and women in cold blood," he said.

"We do know that terrorists murder in the name of a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance and despises all dissent," he added.

The Daily Telegraph, 8/7/2005

Massive manhunt for those who carried out the four bomb attacks in London has begun as the death toll has risen to 49.

Tony Blair has vowed to hunt down those who carried out the attacks, which injured more than 300. The number of critically-ill or seriously injured is 22. One person has died in hospital.

The Queen and Prince Charles have visited people caught up in the tragedy.

At the Royal London Hospital in east London, the Queen said: "I want to express my admiration for the people of our capital city who in the aftermath of yesterday's bombings are calmly determined to resume their normal lives."

Police revealed that the bombs used on the three Underground trains at Kings Cross, Aldgate Street and Edgware Road as well as the explosion which went off on a bus at Tavistock Square, each contained less than 10lbs of explosives and could have been carried in rucksacks.

The bags containing the bombs had been placed on the floor of the Tubes, in the first three carriages, but it is not clear if that had been the case on the bus or whether it had been on a seat.

Police had carried out two controlled explosions yesterday, adding to the confusion at the time on the number of attacks which had taken place.

There is no evidence to suggest suicide bombers were involved, Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Commissioner, said.

Sir Ian also said the timing of the explosions ruled out the possibility that they could have been carried out by one person.

The mobile phone network was not closed by security forces yesterday out of concern for the number of people trying to get in touch with loved ones, he added.

Today, Londoners defiantly returned to work. Although overall numbers of commuters were noticeably down on normal levels, people continued to travel on the Underground and catch the number 30 bus near Russell Square.

London Underground was operating a near-normal service, buses were fully back in action and all the main railway stations were open and running as usual, except King's Cross.

Police are looking into claims from a group calling itself the Secret Organisation Group of al-Qa'eda of Jihad Organisation in Europe which said it had carried out the attacks.

The Queen speaks of a reinforced sense of community during a visit to the Royal London Hospital to meet casualties and medical workers following terrorist bomb blasts in central London, 8 July 2005

Yesterday's bombings in London have deeply affected us all. I know I speak for everyone in expressing my sympathy to those who have been caught up in these events and above all to the relatives and friends of those who have lost their lives. My thoughts are also with the injured some of whom I have been able to see and talk to today.

I also want to thank you and all members of the emergency services and Transport for London who are working with such care, professionalism and sensitivity often in very difficult circumstances. You have the respect of all of us as you go about your business.

Finally I want to express my admiration for the people of our capital city who in the aftermath of yesterday's bombings are calmly determined to resume their normal lives.

That is the answer to this outrage. Sadly we in Britain have been all too familiar with acts of terror and members of my generation, especially at this end of London, know that we have been here before. But those who perpetrate these brutal acts against innocent people should know that they will not change our way of life.

Atrocities such as these simply reinforce our sense of community, our humanity, and our trust in the rule of law. That is the clear message from us all.

The Daily Telegraph, 7/7/2005

At least 37 commuters have died and more than 700 have been injured in multiple bomb attacks on London's transport system during this morning's rush hour.

The Prime Minister, who returned to the capital for a briefing before going back to the G8 summit in Gleneagles, said: "This is a very sad day for the British people, but we will hold true to our British way of life."

The roof was ripped off a bus in Tavistock Square Blaming Islamic terrorists for the attacks, he said the most "intense" police operation was to be carried out "to bring these people to justice".

Mr Blair praised Londoners' "stoicism and resilience" and said Britain will show "spirit and dignity and not be cowered or frightened. (speech)

Seven people were killed in the first explosion between Moorgate and Liverpool Street station. It is not clear if the bomb, which exploded about 100 yards into the tunnel, was on the Central or Circle line.

The worst incident happened at Russell Square where 21 people died.

A further five people died at Edgware Road where three trains were involved including a derailment.

At least two people were killed in a bus attack at Tavistock Place, Woburn.

Mr Blair had earlier said at Gleneagles that it was "particularly barbaric" that the attacks happened when the world leaders were discussing aid to Africa, climate change and the environment.

He said it was important to remember that "our determination to defend our values and way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction of innocent people to impose extremism on the world".

In a joint statement, all the leaders at the G8 summit said they were "united in our resolve to confront and defeat this terrorism".

The Queen said : "The dreadful events in London this morning have deeply shocked us all. I know I speak for the whole nation in expressing my sympathy to all those affected and the relatives of the killed and injured. I have nothing but admiration for the emergency services as they go about their work."

The attacks came during the morning rush hour, bringing the City to a standstill. Four explosive devices were used but it is not clear whether the attacks involved suicide bombers and police say they are keeping an "open mind" about who is responsible despite a previously unknown Islamic website saying it had carried out the attacks.

David Davis, shadow home secretary, described the attacks as "almost unspoken depravity and wickedness", adding: "It is not just an attack on the capital city but the whole nation and its way of life".

Sir Ian Blair, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said no warning had been given, adding he was concerned at the co-ordinated nature of the blasts.

Police said that although around 1,500 Met Police officers were in Scotland for the G8 summit, they would not be called back to the capital.

He said there were still 31,000 officers in London and that this was enough "to cope with this sort of emergency".

Tube bosses said they were "enormously impressed" by the way people left the Underground trains without panic.

Earlier, commuters had described what had happened after the explosions. One train passenger at Aldgate said: "People were screaming, we could not get out. There was so much dust, people were choking. I thought I was going to die of dust inhalation."

British Transport Police had initially blamed power surges for the blasts.

The incidents come a day after London was awarded the 2012 Olympics.