'A sad day for Britain' - Blair

Prime Minister Tony Blair has described Thursday's terror attacks in London as a "sad day for British people".

Mr Blair returned to Downing Street from the G8 summit in Gleneagles, for a meeting with the government's emergency committee, following the explosions which took place in the capital on Thursday morning.

During his speech, Mr Blair said that British values would outlast those of the terrorists and said that Britain would not be intimidated by terrorists.

The Prime Minister, who was visibly upset, once again expressed his sympathy for the families of those killed in the attacks and those who had been injured.

At an earlier news conference at the G8 summit, Mr Blair said his thoughts were with the victims and families of those involved in the “barbaric events”.

He is planning to return to Gleneagles on Thursday evening.

Mr Blair told reporters: “It is the will of all the leaders at the G8 however that the meeting should continue in my absence, that we should continue to discuss the issues that we were going to discuss, and reach the conclusions which we were going to reach. Each of the countries round that table have some experience of the effects of terrorism and all the leaders share our complete resolution to defeat this terrorism.”

The Prime Minister added: “It is particularly barbaric that this has happened on a day when people are meeting to try to help the problems of poverty in Africa, and the long term problems of climate change and the environment.

“It is important however that those engaged in terrorism realise that our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism on the world. Whatever they do, it is our determination that they will never succeed in destroying what we hold dear in this country and in other civilised nations throughout the world.”

Mr Blair is due to return to Gleneagles on Thursday evening.

The Queen has also issued a statement condemning the attacks. It said: “The dreadful events in London have deeply shocked us all. I know I speak for the whole nation in expressing my sympathy to all those affected and the relatives of the killed and injured. I have nothing but admiration for the emergency services as they go about their work.”

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the appalling attacks in London. I know I speak on behalf of all NATO allies when I express our sympathy for and solidarity with the British people. There can be no justification for such heinous crimes. I condemn in the strongest terms these attacks, which underline the need for the international community and members of the Alliance to remain united in the fight against terrorism.”

Anyone concerned about friends or relatives in London can contact the emergency helpline on: 0870 156 6344.

(KMcA/GB)