Manchester Arena attack victim’s mother feels ‘misled’ by Rishi Sunak

The mother of a Manchester Arena attack victim said she felt “misled” by Rishi Sunak over plans for stronger protection against terrorism in public places.

Figen Murray is pushing for UK law change following the death of her son Martyn Hett in 2017. He was one of 22 people who tragically lost their lives after an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.

Her campaign is for Martyn’s Law, which would require venues and local authorities across the country to have preparedness requirements and prevention plans against terrorist attacks. She met the prime minister just hours before calling a general election on Tuesday (May 22) for July 4, after making the 200-mile walk to Downing Street to discuss the law.

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.

Her conversation with Sunak came at the same time Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer wrote to the prime minister pledging his support to ensure the bill becomes law.

He wrote (via Manchester Evening News): “If time is allocated after the next recess, we will work constructively with the government to ensure that this bill is passed quickly. You will remember the promise you made to Figen Murray in December 2022 to implement this legislation. I urge you to work with us to fulfill this promise without delay. The victims and their families deserve nothing less.”

Conservative and Labor party whips are holding talks to determine what remaining legislation can become law before prorogation – the end of the current parliamentary session – today (May 24), but it looks unlikely to be passed before the election.

Speaking to ITV1 Good morning Great BritainMs Murray said: “During the meeting 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 election general.

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

She 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 great idea and he’s going to support it.”

Ms Murray walked for more than two weeks to reach Downing Street and set off from the AO Arena – where the attack took place – on May 7.

Tuesday marked exactly seven years since the tragic incident took place and two separate minutes of silence were held in Manchester to pay tribute to those who were killed in the attack.

To remember the victims, Nickelback teamed up with The Lottery Winners earlier this month for a live cover of Oasis’ ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ in the city.