Mother of Manchester Arena attack victim ‘feels misled’ after meeting Sunak

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The mother of a Manchester Arena attack victim who walked 200 miles to Downing Street said she felt “misled” by Rishi Sunak after he promised to legislate on her son’s behalf.

Martyn Hett’s mother Figen Murray held talks with the Prime Minister on Wednesday where she promised to bring Martyn’s Law to Parliament before the summer recess.

But just hours later, Mr Sunak called a snap election for July 4, leaving just two days of parliamentary time for the so-called flush of major outstanding legislation.

After meeting the Prime Minister, Ms Murray said she had promised him she would introduce Martyn’s Law to Parliament before the summer recess, but she could not guarantee the legislation would be passed before the next election.

Martyn’s Law, named after the 29-year-old, who was one of 22 people killed at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017, would require UK venues and local authorities to have training requirements and plans preventive measures against terror. attacks.

The prime minister’s decision to call a general election will likely mean he won’t be able to pass the bill at all, let alone introduce it before the summer recess. A Labor source said: “If Rishi Sunak will lie to a grieving mother, he will lie to anyone.”

Only one day of joint business remains, during which important legislation will have to be passed in a hurry.

Speaking at ITVs Good morning Great BritainMs Murray said: “During the meeting yesterday we shook hands, he actually agreed, he promised to bring it to Parliament before the summer recess but he couldn’t guarantee it would be done by the next general election.

“We shook hands and he looked me straight in the eye, so I don’t feel like I was lied to because at that point he knew what he was going to do later that day, but he must have been in a very difficult position .

“They could have done it slightly differently, though. I feel a little more misled than lied to.”

Ms Murray added: “He’s certainly behind the legislation and I had a phone conversation 18 months ago where he said he absolutely fully supports the legislation, it’s a no-brainer and he would support it.”

The staunch campaigner began her walk on May 7 at the site where her son was killed in the atrocity as she continues to call for Martyn’s Law to be brought to Parliament, following repeated assurances from the Government over the past five years that it would thing will happen.

Ms Murray also met Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday, who told her he would pass Martyn’s Law if there was a change of government. She later said: “While this is very encouraging, we don’t want to wait for a new government to do this.

“With all the support of the party and public safety at stake, there is no excuse not to do it now.”

Asked if the Prime Minister had lied to Ms Murray by telling her the bill would be introduced before the summer break, his official spokesman said: “I can’t talk about private conversations but clearly the Prime Minister joined people from across the country to pay their respects. Figen Murray and obviously, as he said yesterday, remembering the victims of the Manchester Arena bombings seven years ago. She was a tireless militant.

“Obviously he has previously talked about bringing the legislation as soon as possible.”