Mayor absent from 7/7 ceremonies

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

A wreath was laid in the name of the Prime Minister David Cameron and there was a one-minute silence at noon during an unofficial ceremony in Hyde Park, London, to mark the fifth anniversary of the 7 July (7/7) terrorist atrocities.

The ceremony took place at the permanent memorial to honour the victims of the bombings which was erected last year. The memorial consists of 52 stainless steel pillars representing each of the victims while a stainless steel plaque lists their names. Survivors and families of those who lost their lives in the terror attacks put flowers by the memorial.

Graham Foulkes who lost his son said: "I don't think any of us are saying we want this to become an annual major event, but I think on the fifth anniversary the least the Prime Minister could do is attend and lay a wreath. This was a national attack and it's really disappointing."

He added that "even the Mayor [of London] can't be bothered to attend".

A spokesperson for Boris Johnson said he had followed the advice of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport which issued this statement: "Many of the families have told us that after five years, they no longer look to government to lead the commemorations. They prefer to remember their loved ones in their own way."

Johnson said: "I know that this organisation rose to the challenge on that day and worked hard to keep the capital moving and its communities united in grief, not in mutual hatred or suspicion. We will never forget what happened or those who suffered."

The Muslim Council of Britain is to visit the Hyde Park memorial while there will be events to mark the day at a mosque in Leeds and at Chatham House in London.