LABOUR have warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson that failure to keep a promise to secure funding for the Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation, risks removing vital support for victims of terror.
For two decades the foundation, established in the names of the two boys murdered by the IRA in Warrington in 1993, has provided a free national support service for victims of terrorism in the UK, including trauma-informed health and wellbeing services.
But funding promised by the Prime Minister in March has not materialised, leaving the future of the service in doubt.
On a visit to the centre tomorrow (Friday 7th August), the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Louise Haigh MP and Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols will meet with support workers to see the incredible work the foundation does supporting victims of terrorism across the country, and promoting reconciliation.
The Shadow Cabinet Minister will call on the Prime Minister to keep his promise to secure the future of the foundation and the ‘vital’ work they do for victims of terror. Doubt over future funding comes in the same week a peerage was awarded to Claire Fox, who has never apologised for defending the Warrington bombings. The ennoblement entitles her to up to £313 per-day for attending the House of Lords.
Commenting ahead of the visit the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said:“The Prime Minister has failed to keep the promise he made to victims of terror and to the peace foundation, and this failure risks removing vital support for victims.
It is frankly insulting to victims, that at the same time the service they rely on is placed into doubt, a life peerage carrying with it a £313 per day allowance is awarded to Claire Fox who steadfastly refuses to apologise for defending the Warrington Bombings.
The Prime Minister can, and must, block her peerage and he can and must secure the future of the foundation.”
Commenting, Nick Taylor, Chief Executive of Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace said:“It is a pleasure to welcome the Shadow Secretary of State, Louise Haigh to the Peace Centre and to tell her about the work the Peace Foundation undertakes to promote reconciliation on our islands and the heath and well-being support we provide to victims of terrorism in Great Britain including those affected by the Troubles.
“Terrorism is a crime that requires specialist niche support for the long-term. This is not general victim support and is a key component part of the UK’s counter terrorism strategy.
“We have provided that service for two decades. The decision to cease funding in March needs to be reviewed as the care we provide must be secured for the long-term.”
*The Prime Minister promised at PMQs on March 11th 2020 to do “everything we can to ensure that funding [for the peace centre]continues”
1 Comment
It’s not widely known that the peace centre has been a god send through the pandemic , providing support for NHS workers and their children
Dave