Lib Dems call for inquiry after Surrey County Council apologises for failings in Parsons Green bomb case
Liberal Democrat county councillors in Surrey have called for a review of the County Council's admitted failings in the Parsons Green bomb incident. Ahmed Hassan, 18, was convicted of attempted murder on 16th March 2018. He had been placed in foster care in Sunbury by Surrey County Council since the summer of 2016.
Cllr Hazel Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council, said:
"Today I called on the Leader of the Council to committ the Council to conduct a review into the County Council's role in this case, and for the findings to be published alongside any recommendations following an inquiry along the lines of a serious case review. I am pleased that the Leader of the Council has agreed to consider my request.
"This was an incredibly serious incident that deserves a high level of scrutiny as hundreds of people could have been killed and injured if this attack had been successful. The County Council should be totally transparent about learning the lessons from it and trying to make sure that it doesn't happen again.
"I would have expected a statement to have been made by the Leader of the Council at the Council meeting last week, to update members and the public as to how the County Council would be addressing the concerns raised by this case. I hope that the Leader of the Council agrees to set up a review as a matter of urgency so that the County Council can learn the lessons of this serious incident and implement any necessary changes as quickly as possible".
NOTES
- Cllr Watson's question to Cabinet and the answer received can be found here:
- A webcast of the Cabinet meeting can be found here:
https://surreycc.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/344528
- The County Council's previous press statement can be found here:
A Surrey County Council spokesman said: "This was a difficult case in tough circumstances. We have a duty as a county council to provide support to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who arrive in Surrey and we're also expected to work with law enforcement agencies and others to help stop people being drawn into terrorism. Our work with other agencies in this case wasn't as good as it should have been and we're sorry for our part in that.
"We knew before the terrible incident at Parsons Green that we needed to make changes and had already begun to do so. Since then we have made further improvements and continue to focus on ensuring our work in this area is as good as it can be. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected."