Fact Check: "King Charles and PM Starmer ignored Islamic terrorism in their statements."
What We Know
On July 7, 2025, King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer commemorated the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 attacks in London, where Islamist suicide bombers killed 52 people and injured over 770. During the commemorative events, both leaders emphasized unity and remembrance of the victims without explicitly mentioning the perpetrators' motivations linked to Islamic extremism. Starmer stated, “Those who tried to divide us failed. We stood together then and we stand together now – against hate and for the values that define us of freedom, democracy and the rule of law” (The Guardian). King Charles expressed his heartfelt thoughts for the victims and highlighted the stories of courage and compassion that emerged from the tragedy (ABC News).
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper did acknowledge that “Islamist extremist terrorism remains the greatest threat” to national security, but this was not a focal point of the statements made by King Charles or Starmer during the commemoration (ABC News).
Analysis
The claim that King Charles and PM Starmer ignored Islamic terrorism in their statements can be evaluated from multiple angles. On one hand, the leaders' speeches did not explicitly mention the term "Islamic terrorism" or the specific motivations behind the 7/7 attacks, which has led some critics to argue that this omission is significant. For example, a piece from FrontPage Magazine criticized their remarks as vague and lacking acknowledgment of the specific nature of the attacks (FrontPage Magazine).
On the other hand, it is essential to consider the context of commemorative speeches, which often focus on unity and remembrance rather than detailed political discourse. The absence of specific terminology does not necessarily imply a denial or ignorance of the facts surrounding the attacks. King Charles's comments about the “senseless acts of evil” and the emphasis on collective healing and courage can be interpreted as an attempt to foster a spirit of unity in the face of tragedy (ABC News).
Moreover, Yvette Cooper's acknowledgment of the ongoing threat posed by Islamist extremism indicates that while the leaders may not have explicitly mentioned it during their speeches, the government recognizes the issue as a significant concern (ABC News).
Conclusion
The claim that King Charles and PM Starmer ignored Islamic terrorism in their statements is Partially True. While it is accurate that their speeches did not explicitly mention Islamic terrorism, they did acknowledge the tragedy of the 7/7 attacks and emphasized themes of unity and remembrance. The omission of specific references to the nature of the attacks can be viewed as a missed opportunity for clarity, yet it does not equate to a complete disregard for the events or their implications. The context of the commemorative nature of the event also plays a crucial role in understanding their statements.