British MPs press Libya on decades-old IRA bombing payouts

The British House of Lords held extensive discussions involving the potential use of frozen Libyan assets to compensate victims of IRA attacks that occurred in the 1970s and 1980s.

These sophisticated attacks allegedly involved specialised explosives supplied by Libya under Muammar Gaddafi’s leadership, according to British intelligence sources.

According to comprehensive documentation from the British Library of Lords, Thursday’s high-profile parliamentary session, which was observed by our Libyan Express’ correspondent in London, addressed the complex compensation mechanisms related to IRA operations reportedly conducted with Libyan support. Senior government representatives faced rigorous questioning about the possibility of utilising substantial frozen Libyan funds to provide meaningful restitution to victims of these historical incidents.

The British government firmly maintains that responsibility for compensation lies with Libya’s current administration, despite the nation’s ongoing political challenges. Meanwhile, victims, their families, and influential parliamentary members continue to advocate forcefully for Libya to fulfil these long-standing compensation obligations.

Despite mounting pressure from various stakeholders, consecutive British governments have consistently declined to appropriate frozen Libyan assets for victim compensation, citing international legal restrictions and diplomatic considerations. In 2015, a thorough investigation by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee of the House of Commons examined the government’s systematic efforts in seeking compensation and concluded that support for victims had been remarkably limited, with any compensation received being described as “modest” compared to the suffering endured.

The contentious debate reflects ongoing tensions between humanitarian concerns for victims and strict adherence to international legal frameworks about frozen sovereign assets, potentially setting a precedent for similar cases worldwide.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​