Brown denies putting trade before justice in IRA compensation row

THE row over Britain’s relations with Libya has taken a new turn as Gordon Brown denied he had shied away from pressing Tripoli to compensate families of IRA victims who say Libya supplied the guerrillas with arms.

Lawyers and campaigners for the victims’ families accused Mr Brown of putting trade before justice after letters emerged suggesting he feared rocking improving relations.

They said it was evidence Brown was more concerned about jeopardising Tripoli’s growing trade ties and support for the war on terrorism, a charge his office strongly denied.