Latest news with #MartynHett
ITV News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Southport Inquiry: Can public inquiries lead to real change?
Speaking ahead of the Southport Inquiry Figen Murrary, the mum of Martyn Hett, says the Manchester Arena Inquiry gave her the answers she needed, but it took an emotional and physical toll. The government has so far announced three new public inquiries in 2025, bringing the total of ongoing or announced inquiries to 21. But with more public inquiries than ever - are they working as they should? While public inquiries can be tools for accountability, they are not without challenges. Critics often point to the lengthy durations and substantial costs associated with these investigations and even more crucially the fact they often do not lead to change. A recent report by the House of Lords Statutory Inquiries Committee warned inquiries were perceived as 'frequently too long and expensive, leading to a loss of public confidence and protracted trauma'. Figen Murray OBE, the mother of Martyn Hett, one of 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena bombing, knows all too well the emotional and physical toll public inquiries can take on families. The inquiry into the Manchester Arena Attack lasted more than three years. She said: "Going through an inquiry as a family member who has been directly affected either by death or injury, it is one of the most traumatic experiences I have ever gone through. "Once you see something, you can't un-see it. And when you hear things you can't un-hear them. So people need to appreciate that sitting through an inquiry you see things, you hear things, you go through all sorts of emotions and it's brutal." However Figen maintains the inquiry did give her the answers she needed and helped her campaign for Martyn's Law. Figen Murray said: They're crucially important because they make people accountable and they actually make sure all the facts are on the table and people can examine them and actually make sense of what happened and it puts all the pieces together that are missing. "I think inquiries are absolutely crucial to learning from bad catastrophic events and finding out what can be done to avoid that from happening again." While few will disagree with the need for an inquiry into the Southport tragedy, some remain skeptical as to what it'll achieve. "It had been hoped Southport would be the first to adhere to the Hillsborough Law which would force public officials to tell the truth at inquiries from the outset or face criminal sanctions but the bill's yet to be passed." Elkan Abrahamson, Director of Hillsborough Law Now believes the current inquiry process is ineffective. "There are two big reasons why I think they are ineffective," he said. "The first-is the lack of a duty of candour so it is easy to mislead a public inquiry - certainly in the early stages before an inquiry kicks off and the second is a lack of any oversight mechanism to see that any recommendations are, if not fully implemented, then at least properly considered. "Time and again we have a public inquiry where recommendations are made and just ignored and we have to do something about that." But Professor Lucy Easthope, one of the country's leading emergency planners, believes if done well the Southport Inquiry could bring positive change. "One of the things about the inquiry is there wasn't a trial which many people were relieved about in some ways but it did mean there were a lot of questions unanswered and the inquiry can go much more broadly into other questions as well," she said. "There is no doubt that inquiries done well with the right disclosure and with a very focused chair that demands things of the people giving evidence does inevitably and necessarily change practise. "The sad thing for us is to have to see it being in an inquiry. " So it seems this public inquiry will itself come in for intense scrutiny. The big question, will be whether it'll be able to provide clarity and a degree of closure to the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie and all the others affected by the terrible events of last summer.
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
20 years after 7/7 Yvette Cooper says the UK is 'relentlessly' countering terror
On 7 July 2005, our country suffered one of its darkest days. It should have been a day of celebration. Less than 24 hours before, it was announced that London would host the 2012 Olympic Games. But that morning, as hundreds of thousands of people travelled across the Capital, terror struck. 52 people never came home. Hundreds more were injured. Four men, consumed with hatred, committed the worst terrorist atrocity to hit the UK. On this anniversary, we remember those 52 and their loved ones, and hold in our hearts all those who faced life-changing injuries and trauma. I also pay tribute to the heroism and humanity of those who responded that day. Fellow passengers faced with the unimaginable saved lives by tying makeshift tourniquets, tending wounds and helping each other along the tracks to safety. The bravery of emergency services workers arriving to protect the public. Our Capital and our country came together to make clear that terror can never be allowed to win. The first three suicide bombs went off underground just before 9am – at Aldgate, Edgware Road and Russell Square. The fourth on a bus in Tavistock Square. Twenty years on, I remember so clearly how the terrible news emerged. As a junior government minister, I had just left King's Cross station heading north to speak at a local government conference. A message came through from the Department that there had been an explosion on the Underground, probably gas or a power surge, but they were worried about casualties. It took several hours for the full horror to become clear. Suicide bombs were deliberately detonated on crowded tube carriages and a bus – targeting hundreds of innocent people. The bombers pursued a warped Islamist extremist ideology, swearing allegiance to Al-Qaeda, attempting to kill and maim as many of their fellow citizens as possible. In the aftermath of the attack, the government worked with the emergency and security services to strengthen our counter-terrorism response. The cross-government CONTEST strategy, first drawn up by the Labour Government in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the US, was strengthened and refreshed. The anti-radicalisation programme Prevent, became more important than ever. And communities stood together across the nation determined to ensure that hatred would not win. The work done at that time has endured and evolved since to deal with changing threats. Islamist extremist terrorism remains the greatest threat identified by MI5 and counter-terrorism policing, followed by extreme right-wing terrorism. But we also face hybrid threats to our national security from hostile states, serious organised crime, cyber criminals, those threatening our border security and a troubling rise in violence-fixated individuals radicalised online. Our response has to evolve too. This year, we introduced Martyn's Law received Royal Assent - named after Martyn Hett who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack - bringing in stronger safety plans for certain venues and events. We are reforming the Prevent programme and have appointed the first ever independent Prevent Commissioner. New powers are being brought in, including new youth diversion orders to divert young people away from terrorism-related activity and new protections against hostile state activity from countries like Iran or Russia. We are also working to deliver the first ever Support Hub to ensure victims and survivors of terrorism get the support they need to rebuild their lives. Now, as then, our country continues to face threats. But the government's message is clear: we will relentlessly confront and counter threats to our national security. We will fight every day to protect lives and preserve our way of life so our communities can still stand together, just as we did that day twenty years ago. And we will always champion freedom, respect, community and democracy. For these are the values terrorists despise – and they are the values that make us strong. Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here - Lizzy Buchan, Mikey Smith, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke and Ashley Cowburn. Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox. And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday.
Scotsman
26-05-2025
- Scotsman
Prepare to make your premises safer from terror attacks
If you don't improve venue security you may soon be prosecuted Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Last month, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn's Law) received royal assent, starting the clock on the two-year implementation period before the main provisions come into force. The legislation was prompted by the 2017 Manchester Arena attack and is named after Martyn Hett, one of the victims, following a campaign by his mother, Figen Murray. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For the first time, it requires those responsible for certain premises and events at which large gatherings occur – such as sports and entertainment venues, hotels, student accommodation, and shopping centres – to consider terrorist threats and take forward proportionate mitigations. Get ready for Martyn's Law, advises Lynne Gray The UK's National Risk Register highlights terrorist attacks as one of the top risks facing the country. However, despite several inquiries and inquests reflecting the risk in findings, there was found to be a lack of consistent security outcomes across UK public locations. The legislation aims to address this, requiring those responsible for qualifying premises and events to take appropriate action (so far as reasonably practicable) to reduce the risk of harm to staff and the public, or risk enforcement which includes criminal offences for serious non-compliance. The regulations take a tiered approach around different uses of premises and the number of individuals reasonably expected to be present. Organisations need to understand if their premises or event qualifies and then consider which tier they fall within to inform duties and any required response. The legislation details publicly accessible premises within its scope, including sports grounds, entertainment venues, shopping centres and healthcare facilities. Where the public has access to premises or part of the premises, with an expected capacity of 200-799 persons, this falls within the standard tier. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An expected capacity of 800 or more takes the premises into the enhanced tier, with different duties applying. The standard duty requires appropriate public protection measures, so far as reasonably practicable. That means procedures which should be followed by people working at the premises if an act of terrorism were to occur there or nearby and which may reduce the risk of physical harm to individuals. That could be locking down premises, evacuating or moving people to safe places. Many organisations in the standard tier will already have policies and mitigations in place under other regulatory requirements, such as health and safety and fire safety. These are meant to be low-cost mitigations and there is no requirement to have physical measures in place, in contrast to enhanced duty premises. The enhanced duty requires a more proactive approach, considering counter-terrorism measures to reduce, so far as reasonably practicable, both the vulnerability of premises or an event to an act of terrorism occurring, as well as the risk of physical harm to individuals if an attack was to occur there or nearby. That could include CCTV monitoring or installing barriers, safety glass, and bag or vehicle checks. Any procedures must be documented and submitted to the regulator, the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The SIA needs new regulatory capability to enforce the legislation, which is expected to take 24 months to establish, hence the lead-in time before the new provisions kick in. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For many businesses operating qualifying premises and events across Scotland, this may be the first time they have been required to address the risk from terrorism and represents significant additional responsibilities that need to be considered as part of their activities. They should be using the next two years to understand and prepare for the legislation coming into force fully.
Spectator
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
The law that is choking civil society
If one were to ask for a quintessential display of the British character it would be hard to better the Shrewsbury Flower Show. Officially the world's 'longest-running flower show', according to the Guinness World Records, it is held over two days in August, attracting 60,000 visitors. This summer should be the show's 150th birthday. Last week, however, the Shropshire Horticultural Society abruptly cancelled it. Rising costs were cited as a factor. But the main reason was the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act – known as Martyn's Law. The legislation, which was given royal assent this month, requires organisers of events with more than 200 people to engage in lengthy bureaucratic and state-monitored protocols to protect visitors from terror attacks. Unlikely though it may be that jihadists will prioritise raising the Isis flag above an array of prize lobelias, if fighting terror requires Shrewsbury to wilt, so be it. In October, The Spectator warned that the legislation would impose 'onerous and costly regulatory requirements on civil society'. Village halls and football clubs are being co-opted into the battle against terrorism, forced to complete training and time-consuming paperwork. The government's impact assessment suggested Martyn's Law would, at best, have a net cost of £1.8 billion. In a worst-case scenario, that would stretch to £4.9 billion: 583 times the £8.4 million in benefits expected. Shrewsbury Flower Show's burden is one shared by a cornucopia of public locations – 100,000 retail and hospitality venues, 33,000 places of worship, 400 zoos and theme parks, and so on – that are expected to be hit. Martyn's Law is named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena bombing.
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Premier League and EFL clubs warned about security companies looking to exploit their plans to step up compliance - as teams look to safeguard against terror-attack threat
Football clubs have been warned over security companies attempting to cash in ahead of an incoming law aimed at reducing the threat of terror attacks. Our Inside Sport column reported on Sunday how the matchday experience for fans across the country could soon change following the introduction of Martyn's Law. Named after Martyn Hett, a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack which claimed the lives of 22 concert goers, legislation has now been given Royal Assent and is expected to come into force within the next two years. Aimed at preventing further attacks, it will see any venue which admits more than 800 people deemed 'enhanced duty' and likely to be subject to more stringent security measures such as increased ticket and bag checks. Concerns have been raised over the prospect of an additional cost for such ramped-up security measures, especially at clubs who are struggling financially. The likelihood of longer waits to enter grounds has also been discussed. And it can now be revealed that the EFL has now written to its clubs to warn of the 'rising prevalence of security companies and consultants offering their services to support businesses with the requirements'. Hett was a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack which claimed the lives of 22 concert goers In an email seen by Mail Sport, league bosses add that clubs 'should be wary of committing to further expenditure', seemingly raising the alarm against firms seeking to cash in. Over the coming two years, both the EFL and Premier League will liaise with their clubs as they prepare for compliance. Any issues faced by sides will be raised in high-level discussions with the Home Office. For their part, the Home Office will publish statutory guidance to assist those involved to understand how they can meet the requirements of the legislation. The Security Industry Authority will be the regulator for Martyn's Law, and they will publish operational guidance explaining how they will discharge their duties. Previously, the Home Office has said that the intention of Martyn's Law, also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is to 'improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK by requiring that those responsible for certain premises and events consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack'.
