Families of Manchester Arena bombing victims accuse MI5 of failing to prevent the 2017 attack, demanding stricter oversight
Families Accuse MI5 of Failing After Manchester Arena Bombing
Families affected by the Manchester Arena bombing have accused MI5 of failing them. They are calling for more scrutiny of the security service.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, which the BBC has seen, they demand MI5’s full inclusion in new laws aimed at preventing public life cover-ups. An inquiry found that the attack could have been stopped if MI5 had acted on key intelligence.
“How many times must MI5 show that it cannot be trusted before something is done?” the letter stated, according to the BBC.
New Legislation Proposed
Sir Keir has introduced a law in Parliament called the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, also known as the Hillsborough Law. This law will require public officials and contractors to tell the truth after disasters and to investigate bodies.
Details of the Attack
Suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people by detonating a homemade bomb at an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.
His brother, Hashem Abedi, was convicted of helping with the terror plot. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 55 years in August 2020.
Compensation for Victims
In December, a judge ruled that nearly £20 million will be paid to children injured in the bombing.
Amounts from £11.4 million to £2,770 were agreed upon at a hearing at the Manchester Civil Courts of Justice for 16 victims, all under 16 at the time of the attack. The total compensation will be £19,928,150.
Some victims suffered “catastrophic” and life-changing injuries, while others experienced psychological damage from witnessing the attack.
| Victim Count | Compensation Range | Total Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | £11.4 million to £2,770 | £19,928,150 |
