New Cross fire: Early Day Motion

An early day motion (EDM) was submitted to the House of Commons yesterday by MP Joan Ruddock, representing the families still suffering from the tragedy of the New Cross Fire 30 years ago.

The motion laments the lack of respect paid to the bereaved families, the inadequate police investigations and the fact that this year marked a milestone date and no word was heard from Parliament, even in the form of condolences.

Nineteen MPs have so far added their signatures to the motion and Operation Black Vote is calling on all MPs from all sides of the House to get behind the motion to let the bereaved families know that their lives and the outcomes of their futures is of equal significance; and that the expected observances must be shown to all communities.
 
Simon Woolley OBV Director says: "This is not, and should not be an issue that politically divides, on the contrary.  It is no more than an acknowledgement of deep regret that all political parties have shown such little compassion to the victims of a terrible tragedy.

The community has always believed that overt racism was stamped all over this tragic incident and the all the responses to it has sadly highlighted that”.

The motion reads; “That this House records the tragic events of 18 January 1981 when a fire broke out at a birthday party resulting in the deaths of 14 young black people: Patrick Cummings, Andrew Gooding, Peter Campbell, Gerry Paul Francis, Steve Collins, Patricia Johnson, Rosaline Henry, Lloyd Hall, Humphrey Geoffrey Brown, Owen Thompson, Yvonne Ruddock, Glenton Powell, Paul Ruddock and Anthony Berbeck; regrets that no condolences were sent from Parliament or the Prime Minister; notes that the prevailing racist attitudes of the times resulted in an inadequate police investigation, an inconclusive coroner's hearing and a lack of respect and empathy for the bereaved families and injured survivors; and further regrets that 20 years later the re-investigation by the Metropolitan Police and the reopened inquest did not result in a conclusive verdict, but believes lessons learned contributed to greatly improved community relations in Lewisham and London as a whole and a determination that never again would the black community suffer such discrimination”.

The Anniversary was marked last week and over the weekend by several commemoration events; the laying of a plaque at the address of the fire and a Remembrance Sunday Service.

Early Day Motion- 30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEW CROSS FIRE

Winsome-Grace Cornish

Picture: New Cross Fire commemorated in a stained glass windown at St Andrews Church in Brockley Road.