Silent tribute to victims as 7/7 inquest opens

The inquests into the 7/7 London bombings got under way today with a minute’s silence for those who died.

Hugo Keith QC, counsel to the inquests, began the hearing by reading out the names of the 52 innocent victims of the 2005 attacks.

The coroner, lawyers, bereaved families and members of the public in the courtroom and a separate annex then stood for a minute’s silent tribute.

Opening the hearing, the coroner, Lady Justice Hallett, said: ``We are here today to resume the inquests into the deaths of the 52 innocent people who were killed as a result of the bombs in London on July 7 2005.

“I should like to take a moment to remember them individually.

“Mr Keith shall read out each of their names and then I shall ask all of us who can stand to do so for a minute’s silence in their memory.”

Turning to the families, some of whom were seen walking into court this morning, the coroner said: ``Not surprisingly, many are still struggling to come to terms with the terrible events of July 7.

“Many will be attending court and reliving the detail of that day out of a sense of public duty.”

Lady Hallett said that as much material as possible would be released to the public during the hearing.

“I will balance carefully the needs of national security with relevance and fairness,” she said.

“It is in the interests of everyone that these inquests are conducted in as open a manner as possible.

“Contrary to some reports in the media today, I did not decide to sit without a jury so as to consider intelligence material in private.

“I have yet to decide whether it is in my powers, and if so, if it is in the interests of justice to conduct any closed hearings.”