Manchester Arena bombing inquiry delayed due to coronavirus crisis

The public inquiry will look into the background of the attack and the emergency response.

The start of the inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing has been pushed back, because of the coronavirus outbreak.

It now won't begin until September at the earliest - the original date was June the 15th.

Chairman Sir John Saunders says the time frame will be "constantly" under review.

In a statement he said:

"While nothing appears to be certain about the progress of the virus, it is likely that gatherings of large numbers of people in close proximity will not be permitted by June 2020 as it would cause a significant risk to health.

"The only way that the hearings could be conducted then would be by video link. There is considerable opposition to that approach as it would limit the active participation in particular of the bereaved families, who wish to have the ability to attend in person if they wish to do so."

The public inquiry will look into the background of the attack and the emergency response.

Sir Saunders has not ruled out the use of video links for the inquiry in the future though. 

A hearing which will look into the application for designation as Core Participants survivors of the attack will take place via video link on the 7th April. 

Earlier this month, Hashem Abedi (aged 22), formerly of Fallowfield, was found guilty of 22 counts of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life. His brother, Salman Abedi was killed when he detonated the device at the Ariana Grande concert in 2017.

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