Foreign policy was a ‘driver of 7/7 attacks', says former counter-terror chief
A series of attempted bombings followed the attacks and, in the subsequent hunt for suspects, police shot dead innocent man Jean Charles de Menezes at a Tube station.
Speaking to The Guardian, Neil Basu said: 'A driver of the 7/7 attacks was foreign policy and Iraq. That does not excuse in any way what they did.
'That foreign policy decision has radicalised and made extremists of people who might not have been radicalised or extreme. And if they were on the pathway, it's pretty much guaranteed…
'All terrorists will have a freedom fighter story. Bin Laden would have had a freedom fighter story. We might think it's crap. We might think it's self-justification but he will have had a story about liberating his lands from the great invaders.'
He also said it did not mean a terrorist threat should dictate foreign policy.
Mr Basu said the 'shocking act' divided society.
He said: 'When terrorists hide behind a religion to commit an atrocity, people blame every follower of the religion and the religion itself. We ought to stop doing that.
'That causes a fear and suspicion of people who don't look like you, think like you, eat like you, worship like you. That has got worse, not better, and that has been caused exactly as terrorists want, by dividing a society by committing the shocking act.'
Terror attacks have 'interrupted a trajectory of tolerance', he added.
Mr Basu said: 'That's what I think has been most soul-destroying… It has interrupted a trajectory of tolerance that I was becoming very familiar and happy with…
'It started with 9/11… 7/7 accelerated that in this country. The relationship between races is worse today, or as bad today as it was in the 70s and 80s. That period of tolerance is over, and feels very much over.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
30 minutes ago
- STV News
First responders share horror over July 7 atrocities
A first responder has recalled the 'pinch in the stomach' moment they realised the seriousness of the July 7 bombings 20 years on. Superintendent Anna Bearman was a 23-year-old police constable on the Metropolitan Police response team when the suicide bombing attacks took place on three London Underground trains and bus. At first, she and her three colleagues were told that there was an incident at King's Cross, possibly related to a fire. But Ms Bearman said she remembers the feeling of a 'pinch' in her stomach when she realised the situation was much more sinister. Anna Bearman was a police constable at the time of the July 7 bombings / Credit: Family Handout/PA She said: 'On July 7, it was a nice summer's morning and everyone was elated because we had just won the bid for the London Olympics the day before. 'We were on duty and heard that there was confusion at King's Cross and that perhaps there'd been a fire, so we made our way down to the train station. 'As we were by Euston station, we were asked to divert to Russell Square, and we were told that there were injured people fleeing both stations. 'I remember that being the moment when I thought that it wasn't a fire and it was something more sinister. It was a pinch in the stomach moment.' Ms Bearman described how the four constables in the vehicle fell silent, as it dawned on them that it was a major incident. Upon arrival, they saw dozens of people running out of Russell Square station, with many suffering from injuries. Superintendent Anna Bearman recalled the events of July 7 2005 / Credit: Metropolitan Police/PA She said: 'There were walking wounded and a sense of hysteria and panic, but we couldn't stop and speak to them because we had to get into the tunnel to help those who couldn't walk out. 'We walked about a mile on the tracks and then we carried one person out who had lost a lower limb, as there were no stretchers, and we took them out a mile back to Russell Square.' After carrying a second injured person out and returning to the train for a third time, they were told there were no more people who needed to be rescued, and they turned to finding oxygen tanks for the injured in the makeshift triage area. Ms Bearman recalls: 'After that, the main task was directing and reassuring members of the public, trying to keep them calm in the moment. 'Later on, I saw that my trousers and my legs were absolutely blood-stained, and that was when the shock of the whole day set in. 'The 20-year anniversary is really important to remember the people who have been affected, the lives lost but also their families and loved ones.' Dr Peter Holden, a GP from Derbyshire, was 50 when the bombings took place. He was not supposed to be in London on July 7, but, in his role as deputy chairman of the BMA GP committee, he was called to a meeting with a government minister at BMA House in Tavistock Square. That was where a fourth device exploded on a bus that had been diverted after the attacks on Aldgate, Edgware Road and Russell Square Tube stations. The number 30 double-decker bus was blown up in Tavistock Square on July 7 / Credit: PA Dr Holden, who had received major incident training and helped dozens of people on the day, recalls: 'I realised it was really serious when the Royal London helicopter was hovering overhead for a considerable length of time. 'And then I just turned around to my colleague Mary Church, who's the chair of the committee, we heard a bang and then everything just went salmon pink. 'It was something that shook the ground. We were three floors above where the bomb on the bus went off and we looked out of the window and there was a white plume of smoke and the tree canopy had gone. 'When I got downstairs, there were people being brought in on collapsible table tops used for conferences as makeshift stretchers.' As someone with emergency care training, Dr Holden recalls directing 15 doctors and setting up a makeshift triage area . He remains proud of the effort his team made in the crisis, despite having to make difficult decisions surrounding who to prioritise in the moment. Dr Holden said: 'There was a complete range of people – there were Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, those of no particular faith. 'I think there were eight different nationalities from all over the world – medicine is really an international practice. 'But we had to leave two people who we describe as P1 expectants, those who are deeply unconscious and for whom medical care is extremely unlikely to help, and you just have to leave them with another human being so they are not on their own. 'It was the most difficult decision of my life and it still haunts me, because there's a humanity in delivering care. 'It was a terrible day, but I was thankful that I was there and could help people.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
King Charles sends unity message on 7/7 attacks anniversary
The head of state said comfort can be taken from the 'spirit of unity' across the UK, which has allowed the nation to heal. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also said that 'those who tried to divide us failed," adding: 'We stood together then, and we stand together now'. The King has called on the country to continue its spirit of unity (Image: PA/Aaron Chown) The King said: 'Today, as we mark 20 years since the tragic events of 7th July 2005, my heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer's day. 'We remember with profound sadness the 52 innocent people who were killed in senseless acts of evil – and the enduring grief of their loved ones. 'We recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass. 'In doing so, we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day. 'The selfless bravery of our emergency services, transport workers, and fellow citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst.' Other members of the Royal Family are taking part in memorials today, including The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who will appear at the National Service of Commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral from 11.30am on Monday. Sir Keir Starmer said that 'those who tried to divide us failed' (Image: PA) The King also stressed the importance of communities coming together in times of adversity. He said: 'While the horrors will never be forgotten, we may take comfort from the way such events rally communities together in solidarity, solace and determination. 'It is this spirit of unity that has helped London, and our nation, to heal. 'As we remember those we lost, let us therefore use this 20th anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding, always standing firm against those who would seek to divide us.' The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are to attend a memorial today (Image: PA) The 7/7 attacks were a series of attacks across London's transport network on July 7, 2005. The attacks saw bombs detonated on three underground trains and a double-decker bus. This caused severe casualties during rush hour, seeing 52 people killed and more than 700 injured. These were carried out by Islamist terrorists using improvised explosive devices made from concentrated hydrogen peroxide and pepper, packed into backpacks.
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
King Charles sends unity message on 7/7 attacks anniversary
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also said that 'those who tried to divide us failed," adding: 'We stood together then, and we stand together now'. King Charles issues message of national unity for 7/7 attacks anniversary The King has called on the country to continue its spirit of unity (Image: PA/Aaron Chown) The King said: 'Today, as we mark 20 years since the tragic events of 7th July 2005, my heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer's day. 'We remember with profound sadness the 52 innocent people who were killed in senseless acts of evil – and the enduring grief of their loved ones. 'We recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass. 'In doing so, we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day. 'The selfless bravery of our emergency services, transport workers, and fellow citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst.' Other members of the Royal Family are taking part in memorials today, including The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who will appear at the National Service of Commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral from 11.30am on Monday. Sir Keir Starmer said that 'those who tried to divide us failed' (Image: PA) The King also stressed the importance of communities coming together in times of adversity. He said: 'While the horrors will never be forgotten, we may take comfort from the way such events rally communities together in solidarity, solace and determination. 'It is this spirit of unity that has helped London, and our nation, to heal. 'As we remember those we lost, let us therefore use this 20th anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding, always standing firm against those who would seek to divide us.' The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are to attend a memorial today (Image: PA) What were the 7/7 attacks in London? The 7/7 attacks were a series of attacks across London's transport network on July 7, 2005. The attacks saw bombs detonated on three underground trains and a double-decker bus. This caused severe casualties during rush hour, seeing 52 people killed and more than 700 injured. These were carried out by Islamist terrorists using improvised explosive devices made from concentrated hydrogen peroxide and pepper, packed into backpacks.
