Ken Livingstone responds to the 7th July inquest

“With the outcome of this inquiry our thoughts are with those who lost their lives or were injured. None of us who were not there at the heart of the bombings can know what it must have been like. The 7th July 2005 was the worst terrorist attack in London’s history, an act of mass indiscriminate murder aimed at Londoners regardless of creed, colour or background. The choice of target – the transport system that holds London together – could not have been a more direct attack on Londoners.”

“I welcome the unlawful killing verdict, a symbolic moment that records that this was a criminal act on a horrific scale. There are bound to be lessons from such a shocking event but what is clear is that emergency service staff responded with great efficiency and dedication.”

“Londoners responded to these events with extraordinary calm and saw through the subsequent attempted bombings on 21st July by holding together and showing through their unity that they would not turn on each other as al-Qaeda and its followers wanted.”

“The coroner’s verdict includes a clear and welcome set of recommendations that the relevant agencies must now consider.”