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| by Jonathan Barnes, East Anglian Daily Times, 8 July 2005 |
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| POLITICIANS from across the region were united last night in their condemnation of the terrorist attacks on London. |
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| The MPs, many of whom were in the capital when the explosions happened, spoke of their horror at the atrocities and determination to stand firm against the threat of terrorism. |
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| Tim Yeo, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, said: “This is a terrible shock to everybody and an appalling atrocity, particularly as it aimed at completely innocent people, with the longer-term aim of trying to undermine the morale of the general public. |
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| “I'm particularly concerned as so many people from Suffolk travel to London for work, using the Underground and Liverpool Street station every day. |
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| “In due course, lessons will have to be learned and procedures will have to be tightened up, but my immediate reaction is deep sympathy for those people injured and the families of those who have lost their lives.” |
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| Simon Burns, Conservative MP for Chelmsford West, added: “I am absolutely appalled by the depravity of the crime against innocent human beings. |
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| “It is callous and beyond comprehension and I know that the Government will do everything in their power to seek out and bring to justice the perpetrators of this outrage.” |
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| Bob Russell, Liberal Democrat MP for Colchester, said: “Any attack on our capital city is an attack on the whole country and we must make sure that those who wish to destroy our democratic way of life do not succeed. |
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| “This will create unity of purpose amongst all democratic people in this country.” |
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| Chris Mole, the Labour MP for Ipswich, said he was “horrified” by the terrorist attacks and added: “Clearly, we need to respond by rejecting the motives of those behind this attack, which has been designed to undermine our whole way of life.” |
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| John Gummer, Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal, praised the resilient response of the public to the attack. |
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| “You have to say that we mustn't allow the terrorists to win and we have to get on with our ordinary lives in the way we would normally do,” he said. |
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| “The response has been very positive and the whole of London has continued to do its job - it has been very impressive.” |
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| David Ruffley, Conservative MP for Bury St Edmunds, added: “There is no cause or religion that can possibly justify atrocities like this. |
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| “These murderers should be hunted down and I give my 100% backing to the Prime Minister in doing everything we can to bring these killers to justice. |
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“On a personal level, I was driving through the East End about half an hour before the explosions and I'm grateful to be back in Bury. It's a reminder of how safe and sound we are in Suffolk and the quality of life we have.”
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| Meanwhile, the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich called for a “spirit of calm” after the terrorist attacks. |
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| The Rt Rev Richard Lewis said the events across the capital had “shocked the world”. |
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| He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all who have suffered injury or loss, and also with the members of the police and emergency services who are dealing with the situation. |
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| “In the face of these devastating incidents there has been a remarkable patience and calm in the capital and this is a tribute to the way the emergency is being handled and to all those involved.” |
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| Bishop Richard continued: “I hope and pray that the spirit of calm will continue and that people will be united in recognising that these were indiscriminate attacks on people regardless of age, faith or race. |
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| “The faith communities in this county will continue to stand and work together for the well-being of all and I pray that we shall continue to keep to that vision in spite of attempts to undermine it.” |
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