Family of slain aid worker call for inquiry

[Pelican Press 0]

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Family of slain aid worker call for inquiry

The family of a British aid worker ******* in Gaza in April has urged the government to launch an independent legal inquiry into his ******.

James Kirby was one of three Britons

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on an aid convoy run by the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity.

Ahead of a memorial service for Mr Kirby at Bristol Cathedral on Wednesday, the family also criticised the government for not being in touch since his ******.

And they expressed their “surprise” at not receiving any contact or condolence from *******’s ambassador to the *** or any ******** official since the *******.

Speaking on behalf of the family, James’s cousin, Louise Kirby, said: “There must be a proper, independent inquiry into this ******* on innocent aid workers, and for the evidence to be assessed, if appropriate, in a relevant court of law.

“However, unfortunately, families have had no contact from the *** Government since James and his colleagues’ deaths, nor have we received any information as to whether a credible, independent investigation is taking place; or of the results of any investigation if it has taken place.”

She added: “I very much hope the prime minister will take our concerns seriously and instigate an appropriate, independent or legal inquiry – not only so we can have transparency and accountability, but so that other British citizens and their families know that their government will act for them, if a foreign state unlawfully ****** their loved ones.”

James Kirby, 47, a former serviceman, was one of seven ******* in the air strikes on an aid convoy run by WCK on 1 April.

Two other Britons – John Chapman, 57, and James Henderson, 33 – were also *******. They were providing security for the convoy moving food to a warehouse in Gaza.

The IDF has said a drone operator mistakenly targeted the convoy after thinking it had been taken over by ****** gunmen.

Three missiles were fired in three locations over five minutes. The first missile hit a car and some passengers escaped to another vehicle. That was then hit by a second missile. Some survivors tried to flee in a third car which was also struck. Everyone in the convoy was *******.

After an internal investigation, the IDF sacked two officers and formally reprimanded two senior commanders.

The evidence from the investigation was passed to the military advocate general – the ******** army’s top legal authority – to determine if there had been any ********* conduct.

In the wake of the *******, the then-Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, called for a “thorough and transparent independent investigation” into what had happened.

In the statement, Louise Kirby thanked friends and supporters – including WCK – for their support. She said the family had been touched to receive personal letters of condolence from the King and Queen and the former Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron.

But she said “the *******” of James and his fellow aid workers was “a diabolical tragedy” and the family were “still struggling to find answers and accountability for what happened”.

She said that, given ******* had said the strikes were an accident, the family had been surprised not to have had any contact or message of condolence from *******’s ambassador to the ***, nor from any ******** official.

“Any family of a loved one who has been ******* needs closure. We need to understand how this disaster could have happened,” she said.

“But this is not just about us. This is about how Britain looks after its own citizens and their families, when a British citizen has been unlawfully ******* by another state.”

Ms Kirby added: “We appreciate the compassion and respect we have been shown, but we must also have transparency and accountability. How did this happen? Who is responsible? What accountability did they face?

“Just saying ‘sorry it was an accident’ is not enough. We need to know, and we need to know there has been accountability at all levels, so it never happens again.”

A government spokesman said the bereaved families were being supported by police liaison support officers who were “regular contact” with the Foreign Office.

“The ****** of James and his fellow aid workers was horrific and our thoughts remain with their families,” the spokesperson said.

“Attacks on aid workers are never justified and we remain fully committed to their protection as they support some of the most vulnerable people in the world.”

“There must be an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and aid workers, secure the release of all hostages and ensure much more aid gets into Gaza. ******* must guarantee the protection of aid workers and ensure a tragedy like this cannot happen again.”

The spokesperson did not address the families’ demand for an independent inquiry.

The ******** embassy in London was approached for comment.

******* launched its military campaign in Gaza in response to ******’s unprecedented ******* on southern ******* on 7 October during which about 1,200 were ******* and 251 were taken ********.

More than 40,000 people have been ******* in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s ******-run health ministry.

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