Victim’s dad in call for 7/7 film boycott

David Foulkes: victim of the London bombs

THE father of an Oldham man killed in the 7/7 attacks in London has appealed to cinemas to boycott a controversial British comedy about four aspiring suicide bombers.

The film “Four Lions” was created by satirist Chris Morris and is general release on Friday.

Graham Foulkes who lost his son David (pictured) in the terrorist atrocity on July 7, 2005, said he and other relatives were appealing to cinemas not to show the British-funded film.

He acknowledged that humour had a part when it came to examining serious issues but said for his family, and others like them, the tragedy was still too raw.

He was backed by Grahame Russell, who also lost a son and has accused film-makers of being morally bankrupt.

The film focuses on four men travelling to London to target the marathon.

Mr Morris has described it as showing “the ‘Dad’s Army’ side to terrorism”, as the four incompetent jihadists plan an attack.

In January, when the film was premiered, actor Arsher Ali, who plays one of the would-be terrorists, told the BBC the film was first and foremost, a comedy.

He said: “Terrorism is in the news almost every day, but there are little stories within those things that are inherently comic and inherently human.

“A film like this is obviously a very strong counterpoint to the very serious side of it, which none of us condone, but there are human stories that need to be told.”

Former Hulme Grammar and Oldham Sixth Form College student David Foulkes (22), from Austerlands, was one of 52 people killed.

More than 700 people were also injured when suicide bombers Mohammad Sidique Khan (30), Shehzad Tanweer (22), Hasib Hussain (18), and Jermaine Lindsay (19) detonated their devices on three tube trains and a bus. Mr Foulkes was among victims’ relatives attending a pre-inquest hearing into the deaths last week.

He argued that inquests for the bombers should not be held along with those for the innocent victims. He also wants the inquest to examine whether security services could have prevented the attacks.

Lady Justice Hallett will make a ruling in the next three weeks. The full inquests are due to be held in October.