Wharf victims still await compensation

The victims are angry about plans for Colonel Gaddafi to visit London, which is reportedly due to happen in December.

Many are named on a writ against Libya demanding compensation for their injuries, which is pending in the United States.

In August, the Libyan leader paid compensation to Americans affected by IRA attacks.

Gemma Berazzag, whose husband Zaoui suffered brain damaged in the attack near South Quay station, said: “We should all have compensation. Our lives have changed from the attack.

"My husband needs 24-hour care now and he doesn’t even know his own wife.�

On the evening of the bomb on February 10, 1996, Gemma who lives on the Isle of Dogs, was supposed to be working near the scene as a cleaner but her husband offered to go instead because their daughter was ill.

Zaoui, who is now 67, was in his car with two more of the couple’s children when the bomb went off.

Two weeks ago some of the injured spoke to a gathering of MPs to encourage pressure on the Libyan government to pay British victims.

This was followed last week with a debate between MPs on the issue during which back-benchers urged the governemt to give victims the opportunity to talk to Gaddafi when he arrived in the UK.

One of those at the meeting, Andrew Mackinlay, the Labour MP for Thurrock, said: “All of us recognise the need for rebuilding relations but not at any price. Now is the time to bring a just settlement for the victims.�

Canary Wharf-based security guard Jonathan Ganesh was among the victims who spoke at the meeting.

He was hospitalised in the Docklands blast and spoke about losing his two friends, John Jeffries and Inam Bashir, who were working in the newsagents next to where the bomb was planted.

He said: “What kind of message does this send out to terrorists around the world to welcome back Gaddafi without an apology or compensation?�