Press release

Villiers responds to Londonderry bus attack

The Secretary of State condemns act of extreme recklessness and intimidation.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

On the evening of 20 November a masked man boarded a bus in Londonderry carrying a device, which he placed behind the driver’s seat. He then ordered the driver to take the bus to a local police station. She drove a short distance before alerting the police, who later confirmed that the device was viable.

Speaking from Boston, USA, Theresa Villiers said:

The people who put a viable device on a bus in Londonderry last night engaged in an act of extreme recklessness and intimidation. Their clear intention was to cause injury and the potential death of innocent people.

I’m sure the passengers are feeling very shaken today. The driver should be commended for her tremendous bravery in ensuring all their safety under horrendous circumstances.

I urge anyone with any information about the people responsible for this appalling act to speak to the police.

Published 21 November 2013