London 7/7 survivors’ fury over ‘shameful’ Disney drama that recreates bombings

Survivors of London’s 7/7 bombings have said they’re appalled that Disney is recreating the tragedy for a TV drama.

It comes after scenes were filmed in the capital depicting the suicide bombings on a bus and three Tube trains in July 2005, which killed 56 people.

The dramatisation, Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, includes a full scale replica of the No 30 double-decker that had its roof torn off in Tavistock Square.

Victim Daniel Biddle, who lost both his legs and eye and his spleen in the Edgware Road attack, described the Disney+ series as ‘shameful’.

The 43-year-old told The Sun: ‘I can’t ever forget 7/7 or get over it. This is a lack of respect by Disney.’

The drama, produced by Bafta-winner Jeff Pope, tells the story of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot dead by police two weeks after the bombings when he was mistaken for a suspect.

George Psaradakis, 67, who was driving the No 30 bus that day, questioned why the recreation was needed, adding: ‘I’m not going to watch it. It’s tasteless. This will bring pain to everyone, especially to those who lost their loved ones.’

Residents who spotted crews in Bermondsey recreating the bus attack said seeing the double-decker replica could upset people and scare children.

One man said there were no warnings displayed to explain to locals and passersby it was a dramatisation.

Disney+ told the Metro that producers of the show ‘have been, and will be speaking with a number of people and organisations involved in the events explored in the series’.

But Mr Biddle and fellow victim Michael Henning, who is part of an online support group for survivors, said no one had been in touch.

Mr Henning, a 57-year-old broker, added recreations such as this must be done with dignity and respect.

‘I would implore them to keep everyone informed as this is such a sensitive subject and can cause deep distress,’ he said.

Jean Charles de Menezes’ parents and other relatives have been serving as consultants on the show, according to Disney+.

A spokesperson from the streaming service said: ‘Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes” (working title) is a factual dramatisation of events surrounding the police shooting of the innocent Brazilian shortly after the attempted bombings on 21 July.

‘The team producing the series has significant expertise in this type of programming, incorporating extensive in-depth research that has been approached with the utmost sensitivity and respect, and all involved are conscious of the huge responsibility that comes with telling this story.

‘As with any production, a number of factors were carefully considered when sourcing the filming location, and throughout filming production have worked very closely with TFL, police, the council, community and businesses to ensure all were aware ahead of time that filming was taking place with marshals and signage canvassing the area on the day.’

Four suicide bombers, carrying explosives in their rucksacks, were behind the devastating attacks that happened between 8.50am and 9.47am, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds more.

The culprits were named as Mohammad Sidique Khan, 30, Shehzad Tanweer, 22, and Hasib Hussain, 18 and Germaine Lindsay, 19.

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