Gordon Brown ‘has failed to hear our voice’

Jun 20 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

ACHARITY campaigner yesterday expressed his outrage at Prime Minister Gordon Brown – claiming he has failed the families of murder victims.

David Hines, the Tyneside chairman of the National Victims’ Association, yesterday said the PM had failed to respond despite being bombarded with letters penned by the relatives of murder and manslaughter victims.

Relatives of 38 victims, many from the North East, wrote to Mr Brown asking for the opportunity to explain their concerns, but have not received acknowledgement.

And Mr Hines also accused the Government of failing to provide appropriate financial support to the campaign.

He said: “For someone who repeatedly tells us that he is listening to people’s concerns, it is most disappointing.

“Myself and others have lived through the most devastating trauma possible and for our plight to be ignored by our Prime Minister is heartless and indefensible.

“Our charity has lived a hand-to-mouth existence for fifteen years with no core funding from the Government. And to add insult to injury, it now appears that unless one is a current high profile victim with an abundance of photo opportunity potential, our Prime Minister is not interested.”

The outburst comes only 24 hours after Martin Brent’s killers had their life sentences reduced in London’s Court of Appeal. For a £5 bet William Hughes, 22, Marcus Miller, 16, and Stephen Bonallie, 17, all from Sunderland, chased, kicked and punched the disabled 23-year-old to death.

But last night the Ministry of Justice said they would take all necessary steps to meet the needs of victims’ families, and said they had contributed more than £35,000 to the charity. A spokesman said: “The Government is fully committed to improving the support the criminal justice system provides to victims and witnesses. Vernon Coaker, Home Office minister, will be attending and speaking at NEVA’s annual conference this weekend. NEVA has been successful in securing government funding in the past.

“In 2007/08, the organisation secured £25,000 from the Home Office Victims’ Fund strand on homicide. This was offered on a one-off basis. No decisions have been made about the Victims Fund for 2008/9.

“The Office for Criminal Justice Reform also contributed £10,000 towards NEVA’s annual conferences in 2005 and 2006. It was made clear this was a one-off contribution. There are currently no funds available from which the OCJR could fund NEVA.”

The NVA’s 10th Annual Conference takes place this Saturday from 9am to 4.30pm at The Little Haven Hotel in South Shields.