Victims of terrorists abroad 'to be able to claim compensation'

People who suffer personal injuries as a result of terrorist activity abroad will be able to claim compensation thanks to a new government scheme.

Announced by justice secretary Jack Straw, the initiative will mean that such individuals can request money and will receive an expression of public sympathy.

The politician - who was appointed to his current role in June 2007 - revealed that a new Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme will be set up as part of the Crime and Security Bill.

He suggested that terrorist incidents are a political statement and an attack on society as a whole.

Mr Straw added: "Therefore is right that, as a tangible expression of sympathy, society should compensate the victims of terrorist attacks abroad in recognition of the injuries suffered."

Although it is not possible to ever fully compensate people for the trauma they experience as a result of such incidents, the new scheme will provide some "much needed relief", he went on to state.