Manchester Arena families say MI5 can’t be trusted

‘How many times must MI5 show that it cannot be trusted before something is done?’

Survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing had taken legal action against MI5 (PA) (PA Archive)

Families impacted by the Manchester Arena bombing have accused MI5 of failing them, calling for increased scrutiny of the security service.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, seen by the BBC, they demand MI5's full inclusion in new legislation designed to prevent public life cover-ups. An inquiry previously concluded the attack could have been stopped had MI5 acted on key intelligence.

“How many times must MI5 show that it cannot be trusted before something is done?” the letter read, according to the BBC.

Sir Keir has introduced a so-called Hillsborough Law in Parliament – the Public Office (Accountability) Bill – which will force public officials, and contractors, to tell the truth in the aftermath of disasters, and to investigate bodies.

Police at the Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by US star Ariana Grande (PA)

Suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people by detonating a homemade rucksack bomb in a suicide attack at an Ariana Grande concert at the venue in May 2017.

His brother Hashem Abedi, who was convicted of assisting with the terror plot, was jailed for life with a record-breaking 55-year minimum term in August 2020.

In December, a judge ruled that almost £20 million is to be paid out to children injured in the bombing.

Amounts ranging from £11.4 million to £2,770 were agreed at a hearing at the Manchester Civil Courts of Justice for 16 victims, all aged under 16 at the time of the attack, with the total amount to be paid coming to £19,928,150.

Some suffered “catastrophic” and life-changing injuries, while others suffered psychological damage from witnessing the carnage.