Police accused of 'cowardice' during Tunisia attack

The "deliberate and unjustifiable" delay by Tunisian law enforcement units to intervene in the Sousse terrorist attack was due to their panic, fear and"simple cowardice", an inquest has heard.

On June 26 2015, Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire at the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse, killing 38 tourists, including 30 Britons, 11 of whom were from the Midlands.

The inquest into the deaths at the Royal Courts of Justice heardthat lives could have been saved and that the police and security teams' delayed response "amounts to an offence."

A summary of an investigation by Tunisian Judge Akremi was read out in court and the report included an assessment by the Secretary of State to the minister of the interior responsible for security matters.

He had examined cameras which "showed that the tourist security team vehicle and bike patrol deliberately slowed down and did not intervene to stop the terrorist attack at that time."

He explained that this patrol was "prepared and equipped to intervene", butdid not do so.

The patrol committed "what is considered a serious mistake, and that its delay was deliberate and unjustifiable."

The inquest is adjourned to February 23.

Read more: Who were the Midlands victims of the Tunisia attacks?