Arena bombing inquiry - survivors want their voices to be heard
Date published: 08 April 2020
The Arena bombing inquiry is due to be held later this year
Survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing have formally applied to play a key role in a public inquiry examining the atrocity.
The survivors have applied to have a voice in the inquiry.
Core participant status means that survivors will be able to make opening and closing statements at the hearing, ask questions - which witnesses cannot - see evidence relating to them that is held by the inquiry as well as be given access to draft reports before the findings are publicly published.
Specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have been instructed by over 40 people seriously injured in the 2017 terror attack.
Royton mums Lisa Lees and Alison Howe were among 22 killed in the attack.
A hearing was held yesterday (April 7) where legal submissions were made to Sir John Saunders, the Inquiry Chair, for the survivors to be granted ‘core participant’ status in the inquiry.
Saoirse de Bont, expert public law and human rights lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the families, said: “This was a truly heinous crime which has devastated hundreds of families.
"Several years on many of the survivors we represent are understandably still attempting to come to terms with the physical and psychological impact of what happened.
“Our clients have a number of questions about the events that unfolded on that night.
"Families recognise that it is entirely correct that the deceased remain at the heart of this inquiry.
"However, for the inquiry to thoroughly and openly examine all of the facts, the voices of survivors need be heard.
“That way all possible lessons can be learned to reduce the risk of a similar incident occurring in the future and improve preparation for security and emergency response arrangements in the future.
"Our clients stand prepared to work constructively with all parties to ensure lessons are learned."
Suicide bomber Salman Abedi, aged 22, detonated a rucksack bomb in a foyer area of the Arena after an Ariana Grande concert on May 22, 2017 - killing 22 people and injuring hundreds more.
In March his brother Hashem Abedi, 22, was found guilty of murdering 22 people following a trial at the Old Bailey.
He was also found guilty of one count of attempted murder, relating to those injured, as well as conspiring to cause explosions.
Home Secretary Priti Patel last year announced a public inquiry into the atrocity and said “It is vital that those who survived or lost loved ones in the Manchester Arena attack get the answers that they need and that we learn the lessons, whatever they may be.”
Other core participants include the relatives of those killed, Police, security services, emergency services, the Arena and the Greater Manchester Authorities. .
The inquiry is due to be held later this year.
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