The mother of one of the Manchester Arena attack victims has this week graduated with a Masters degree in Counter Terrorism.
After two years of study, 60-year-old Figen Murray – whose son Martyn Hett was one of 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing – has gained an MSc in Counter Terrorism, and graduated on Wednesday with a distinction from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Figen said she completed the degree to try and understand why her son was killed.
“When my son was killed in a terrorist attack, I remember clearly thinking ‘you kill my baby, you watch what I am going to do!’ [and] at the time, I had no idea what shape or form that would take, but I simply took the murder of my son very personally, and it became an issue between me and terrorism,” she explained.
Graduating today after two years studying my Masters in Counterterrorism. This one's for you, Martyn!💞
She continued: “Martyn would not want me to be angry and bitter, but I quickly realised I knew absolutely nothing about terrorism.
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“I didn’t understand why people would be so angry to resort to blowing themselves up and take others with them [and] I wondered what made them so cross with humanity so, I had the need to find the answers to so many questions around terrorism.”
Originally from Stockport, Figen worked full-time as a psychotherapist in private practice until the day of the Arena attack.
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But when she went to UCLan’s Preston Campus to give a talk to the students there, she had a conversation with course leaders Jim Bonworth and Ian Palmer, and she soon realised she wanted to enrol on to the two-year course herself.
Figen’s son, Martyn Hett, was one of 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing / Credit: Martyn Hett
“I found the first year very interesting as we were given so much information about the historic background,” she continued.
“Sometimes it was difficult to sit through, say if there were photos of an attack or a major crime scene, I had to look away and try to ground myself in those moments, but I was determined not to leave the classroom.
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“I always thought ‘Bring it on! I can do this!’ [and] there were thankfully only a few of those tricky moments.”
Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett, has graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with with an MSc Counter Terrorism today, after her son was tragically killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
What’s even more impressive is that Figen managed to combine her course work with attending the Old Bailey trial of Hashem Abedi – the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber – and with the ongoing Manchester Arena Inquiry too.
“I am obviously very thrilled to have graduated but I cannot believe I managed to complete it due to my circumstances,” she admitted.
Figen – who publicly forgave bomber Salman Abedi less than a month after the attack to “break the cycle of hate that existed” – is now aiming to reach more young people with talks about the dangers of online radicalisation, and is campaigning the government for the introduction of ‘Martyn’s Law’, which will mandate security at public venues instead of having it as a recommendation.
“To have passed with a distinction is something I cannot even comprehend as I have been in a constant state of emotional stress throughout the two years I was on the course,” she concluded.
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“I guess it was due to sheer grit and determination.”
Oldham Athletic’s next game postponed amid red weather warnings
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC’s next game has been postponed amid red weather warnings, with a frozen pitch having already set in.
We suspect they won’t be the only ones either…
Oldham Athletic were set to take on Notts County FC at home this weekend, with the upcoming fixture set for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 10 January, but the state of the Boundary Park stadium’s playing surface has already been declared unfit for use.
Informing the fans of the unfortunate decision, the rescheduled date and time for the match remain yet to be confirmed.
Saturday's home fixture against Notts County has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. #oafc
Addressing supporters online, OAFC wrote: “An inspection took place on Thursday afternoon with the pitch frozen following persistent freezing temperatures since our last home game on New Year’s Day and further adverse weather forecast.
“The inspection was called due to persistent freezing temperatures and in anticipation of further adverse weather between now and kick-off. Tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date, and refunds can be claimed after the new date is confirmed.”
As for Notts County, they have also updated their fans on social media.
They have assured that “tickets purchased for this fixture will [also] be valid for the rearranged date” and that “supporters who require a refund will be able to do so after the date for the rearranged fixture is announced.”
Postponement comes amid parts of Oldham, Greater Manchester and other areas across the country being hit with severe weather warnings, which have now been upgraded from an initial yellow rating.
2026’s first named storm, the weather event dubbed by Goretti by the French meteorological service, is set to bring further frosty conditions and blustery winds to us Brits.
The UK received its first snowfall of the year earlier this month, but this next pattern of cold air is set to see even more arrive, with the forecast potentially running into next week.
As for the Latics, the 15th-placed League Two team will have to wait until their ground thaws out to try and make up ground between them and the play-off spots.
Worth keeping an eye on the Met Office if you were planning a trip to the footy over the next few days.
Manchester City look set to steal transfer target away from Liverpool
Danny Jones
Manchester City could be about to steal away a key transfer target right from underneath Liverpool’s noses, as the club is reportedly eyeing up a swoop for Marc Guehi.
Were it to happen, it could be a decisive move not only in January but could really prove instrumental in how the rest of their season plays out.
The Crystal Palace defender and England international looked pretty much all set for a Merseyside switch, with prior reports claiming that he was heading for Anfield before the deadline day in the previous summer window.
However, the latest rumours – which seem to have ramped up over the past week or so – are that Man City could snatch him from the grasp of Liverpool as Pep Guardiola looks to reinforce his defensive line.
As per the latest from the likes of Fabrizio Romano, fellow journalist Jeremy Cross and other alternative football outlets like indykaila News, not only is the door now open for Marc Guehi to leave the South London club, but the Etihad Stadium seems an increasingly likely destination.
Speaking in a recent press conference, Palace boss (who has also now been linked to the Man United manager’s job) Oliver Glasner added fuel to the fire.
Admitting that while everyone at the club wants him to say, “On the other side, there’s the situation that the contract ends in the summer, and if somebody is coming, there will be a moment when the club says, ‘Now the financial issue is more important than the sport issue’…”
“There will be a threshold where the club has to say [sell] … If the player says: ‘I want to leave’ and the money is above the threshold, it will happen. I’m not so naive [as] not to know that if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen.”
Yes, name-checking the East Manchester outfit specifically, as opposed to Arne Slot’s somewhat faltering side, Romano has since insisted that “Man City want to reach an agreement now after their CBs emergency”; they have already recalled one centre-half from his loan move who impressed on debut.
Aside from a few OOP actions early on, M. Alleyne was top. Composed, progressive and confident stepping beyond the first line.
He doesn’t recycle — he dictates. Being a build-up reference already at senior level speaks volumes.
Many fans have already made it clear that they back and believe Max Alleyne (seen above) and fellow youngster Abdukodir Khusanov to deputise and be further blooded into the first team moving forward, especially following their performance against Brighton and amid the limited options.
On the other hand, City have always benefited from their strength in depth, and while the soon-to-be-confirmed Antoine Semenyo will no doubt be an exciting addition, finding cover for Ruben Dias and Joško Gvardiol appears to be a bigger priority.
Meanwhile, not only is it said that Guehi would love the opportunity to the Catalan coach and serial winner, but Liverpool have
Regardless, there is always the risk of a player getting lost in a potentially bloated squad as and when those players return to the starting lineup; it’s up to the 25-year-old Premier League-proven centre-back to decide whether he can not just take on the challenge but keep that place.
Emily Sergeant -
17th December 2021 
