Northern Ireland

Boris Johnson says those responsible for the 39 Essex deaths will be brought to justice

Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs a book of condolence, watched by the Chief Constable of Essex Police, Ben-Julian Harrington, during a visit to Thurrock Council Offices in Essex after the bodies of 39 people were found in a lorry container last week. Picture by Stefan Rousseau, Press Association
Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs a book of condolence, watched by the Chief Constable of Essex Police, Ben-Julian Harrington, during a visit to Thurrock Council Offices in Essex after the bodies of 39 people were found in a lorry container last week. Pi Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs a book of condolence, watched by the Chief Constable of Essex Police, Ben-Julian Harrington, during a visit to Thurrock Council Offices in Essex after the bodies of 39 people were found in a lorry container last week. Picture by Stefan Rousseau, Press Association
By Staff Reporter

BORIS Johnson has pledged his government will do everything in its power to find those responsible for the deaths of 39 people found in a sealed lorry container in Essex last week.

The 31 men and eight women were discovered in an industrial estate in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The container had travelled from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet in England.

The prime minister visited Thurrock Council Offices in Essex today to meet Essex Police chief constable Ben-Julian Harrington, and sign a book of condolences for the victims.

He also laid flowers at the council offices in tribute to the dead.

In a book of condolences, the Prime Minister wrote: "The whole nation, and indeed the world had been shocked by this tragedy and the cruelty of the fate that has been suffered by innocent people who were hoping for a better life in this country.

"We mourn those who lost their lives. Our thoughts are with their families far away. In condemning the callousness of those responsible for this crime, we in the government of the United kingdom resolve to do everything in our power to bring the perpetrators to justice."