BBC NEWS
Blair vows to hunt down bombers
Tony Blair has promised one of the most "vigorous and intensive"
police manhunts the UK has seen to catch those responsible for the
London bombings.
"We will pursue those responsible wherever they are and we will not
rest until they are identified, and as far as possible, brought to
justice."
He told MPs that Londoners' "stoicism" since the tube and bus bombs
which claimed 52 lives was an inspiration.
The prime minister said Britons were "determined... not to be
defeated".
Conservative leader Michael Howard praised the government's response
to last week's atrocity.
"We wish to give the government our full support as they face
difficult decisions in the future," he said.
Solidarity from British Muslims
Liberal Democrat Charles Kennedy also struck a note of unity and
chose to highlight the condemnation of the attacks by the "vast
majority" of British Muslims.
How many mothers' hearts shall be maimed?
Marie Fatayi-Williams, mother of missing man
Earlier Mr Howard had called for an inquiry, to see if any lessons
could be learned.
In the Commons he said it should be of limited scope with its remit
determined by the government and that it should not interfere with
the current efforts to identify the dead or catch the bombers.
Mr Blair said everyone involved would want to see if there could be
improvements in their response.
Those responsible for killing 52 and injuring more than 700, probably
Islamic extremists, would be hunted down.
"The 7 July will always remembered as a day of sadness," Mr Blair
said before pointing out that people were determined to return to
normal just four days later.
"At the moment of terror striking, when the eyes of the world were
upon them, [Londoners] responded and continue to respond with a
defiance and a strength that are universally admired," he said.
In other developments:
* The first victims of the bombs are officially named as Susan
Levy, 53, from Cuffley in Hertfordshire and University College London
cleaner Gladys Wundowa, 51.
* Scotland Yard says its inquiry has been helped by a strong
response from the public.
* A book of condolence has been opened at City Hall in London,
with mayor Ken Livingstone the first to sign it.
* Home Secretary Charles Clarke wants all EU countries to agree
that communication firms retain details of all calls made, texts and
e-mails sent for a year.
* London Underground reported that passenger numbers were down
slightly on usual numbers.
Since the bombings the main political parties have made a point of
saying they need to put on a united front.
And in the usually combatative Commons there was a rare unity among
MPs of all parties.
Mr Blair said that the sort of people who carried out the attack on
tube and bush passengers were "by their very nature" hard to stop.
"But our security services and police do a heroic job for our country
day in day out and I can say that over the past years, as this
particular type of new and awful terrorist threat has grown, they
have done their utmost to keep this country and its people safe," he
said.
Police and security agencies say they are now almost certain that
they are not dealing with a suicide bomb attack.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4670945.stm
Published: 2005/07/11 15:58:33 GMT
© BBC MMV
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