Hartlepool MP slams '˜savage and cowardly' Brussels attacks by '˜thugs and extremists'

Hartlepool MP Iain Wright has sent a defiant message to the terrorists who attacked Brussels yesterday.
Picture taken with permission from the Facebook site of Jef Versele showing the aftermath of this morning's explosions at Brussels airportPicture taken with permission from the Facebook site of Jef Versele showing the aftermath of this morning's explosions at Brussels airport
Picture taken with permission from the Facebook site of Jef Versele showing the aftermath of this morning's explosions at Brussels airport

More than 30 people were killed and many more injured in blasts at Zaventem airport and Maalbeek metro station.

“These attacks are both savage and cowardly, designed to inflict as much death, injury, damage and fear as possible,” said Mr Wright.

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“I am sure that everybody in Hartlepool, in keeping with the rest of our country, will want to extend our thoughts and sympathies with the families who have lost their lives, as well as the Belgian people, who have experienced this atrocity in their own country.

“Just as with the attacks in Paris last November, the UK will stand together against such appalling terrorist attacks and ensure that these thugs and extremists can never win.”

Flags flew at half-mast on civic buildings across the region yesterday and Sunderland’s Penshaw Monument was last night lit up in the black, yellow and red colours of the Belgian flag.

MEPs from across the region spoke of their horror over the attacks.

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North East UKIP MEP Jonathan Arnott said: “This is a terrible attack, killing and maiming innocent people.

“My heart goes out to them and I hope that those directly and indirectly involved in causing this outrage are quickly brought to justice.

“These incidents highlight the dangerous times in which we live but we must not be cowed down by these attacks on our society.”

Labour MEP Jude Kirton-Darling, who is in Canada as part of an EU trade delegation, said: “I am shocked and horrified at the events.

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“Our thoughts are with the people affected at this terrible time and offer our solidarity to them.”

Her colleague Paul Brannen added: “These are horrible and appalling events.

“The best response to such attacks on our democracy is to continue the business of the parliament along with our colleagues from across the European Union. All of our thoughts are with those injured and the families of those killed.”

David Cameron said Britain had “offered every support” to Belgium in dealing with the “appalling and savage” terror attacks in Brussels.

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The Prime Minister promised full backing in a phone call with counterpart Charles Michel after chairing a 40-minute meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee to discuss the atrocity.

“We absolutely stand with them at this very difficult time,” he said.

“These were attacks in Belgium. They could just as well be attacks in Britain or France or Germany or elsewhere in Europe,” he said.