Families impacted by the tragic Manchester Arena terrorist attack are pushing for MI5 to be fully encompassed within a new legislation called the “Hillsborough Law,” aiming to prevent cover-ups. They expressed concerns over MI5’s credibility following a public inquiry that revealed discrepancies in the intelligence provided about the attacker, Salman Abedi, who caused the devastating incident on May 22, 2017.
The “Hillsborough Law,” inspired by the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, is progressing through Parliament to ensure transparency and honesty from public officials during investigations related to major disasters. The law intends to hold authorities accountable and prevent the spread of false narratives, as seen in the aftermath of the Hillsborough tragedy.
Pete Weatherby KC, leading the Hillsborough Law Now (HLN) campaign group, criticized the government for inserting clauses that could hinder the law’s effectiveness in regulating intelligence services like MI5. The government responded, emphasizing the need to balance strengthening the law with national security considerations.
Weatherby stressed the importance of truth and accountability, highlighting the necessity for MI5 and other intelligence agencies to be subject to the same standards as everyone else. Families of the victims urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to fulfill his promise of extending the law’s application to security and intelligence agencies.
Claire Booth, a survivor of the Manchester Arena bombing, expressed frustration over MI5’s lack of transparency post-attack, emphasizing the need for accountability and fairness in addressing the failures that led to the tragic event. The families are steadfast in their demand for full candor from MI5, MI6, and GCHQ to ensure justice and prevent future mishaps.
