Mother of Hinckley Manchester Arena victim on long walk for justice

The mother of a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing set off from Hinckley this morning on the final leg of her long walk to Downing Street to call for a change in the law. Figen Murray’s son Martyn Hett, 29, was among the 22 people killed in the attack after an Ariana Grande concert.

She is on a 186-mile walk from Manchester to London to drum up support for Martyn’s Law, which would require all places and local authorities in the UK to have pre-emptive plans against terrorist attacks. She was joined on the final leg of today’s walk by supporters including Brendan Cox, husband of the late MP Jo Cox, who was killed in Yorkshire in 2016 by a right-wing terrorist, and Charlotte Dixon Sutcliffe, whose husband David he was killed. in the Brussels metro bombing, also in 2016.

Speaking before starting the 16-day walk, Figen said: “Martyn’s death could have been avoided if basic safety measures had been in place that night and that is why I have campaigned tirelessly to ensure that no parent suffers of pain and loss. which I endure daily. I am going from where my son died to 10 Downing Street to remind the Prime Minister of his commitment to introduce legislation that will improve safety and security in public places. The campaign for Martyn’s Law has already been a long journey, I hope this walk is the last leg. All I ask is that the prime minister keeps his promise.”

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Ms Murray has written to Rishi Sunak and asked him to meet her when she arrives in Downing Street and to set a date for the Government’s bill to reach the House of Commons. Since her son’s death, she has gained an MA in counter-terrorism and received an OBE.

Martyn’s Law was a pledge in the 2019 Conservative Manifesto and was followed by public consultation but has not yet become law. It was suspended after a home affairs select committee in July 2023 said it could put small businesses and organizations at risk of closure and was failing to “make a significant impact” in preventing attacks.

A Home Office spokesman said: “As set out in the King’s Speech, we are committed to introducing Martyn’s Law – legislation that will better protect the public from terrorist attacks and we are grateful to Figen Murray for his tireless support in this issue.

“It is important that our new law stands the test of time and is a fitting tribute to those who campaigned for it. That’s why we consulted on how we can protect the public without placing unnecessary burdens on smaller businesses.

“We are now in the final stages of drafting this legislation and it will be introduced as soon as possible.”