Hundreds of survivors injured during the Manchester Arena attack and their relatives are suing MI5, it has been revealed.
More than 250 people have submitted their claim to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) to take legal action against the country’s security service, it is being widely reported by multiple national news outlets this morning, including BBC News, Sky News, ITV News, and more.
The IPT investigates complaints about the alleged conduct of public bodies.
Their claim comes after an inquiry back in March 2023 concluded that MI5 missed a “significant opportunity” to prevent the attack, in which 22 people tragically lost their lives, and thousands more were left injured and affected, during and following a bombing at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017.
According to the inquiry’s findings, a number of communication breakdowns between MI5 and Counter Terrorism Police North West officers meant that intelligence was not shared.
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On top of this, the inquiry also found that two pieces of information about bomber Salman Abedi had been assessed by the security service at the time and concluded to not relate to terrorism.
Hundreds of injured Manchester Arena attack survivors are suing MI5 / Credit: pdjohnson (via Flickr) | David Dixon (via Geograph)
Hudgell Solicitors, Slater and Gordon, and Broudie Jackson Canter are the three solicitor firms representing the group of 250 survivors and relatives.
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“Legal teams representing injured survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 can confirm that they have collectively submitted a group claim on behalf of more than 250 clients to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT),” a statement on behalf of the three solicitors reads.
“As it is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable or provide any further details, or comment further, at this stage.”
MI5 will also not be providing comment, due to ongoing legal proceedings.
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More than 250 people have submitted their claim to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) / Credit: BBC Sounds
Following the conclusion of the injury last March, MI5’s Director General, Ken McCallum, made a rare public statement saying he was “profoundly sorry that MI5 did not prevent the attack”.
His statement at the time read: “Having examined all the evidence, the chair of the inquiry has found that ‘there was a realistic possibility that actionable intelligence could have been obtained which might have led to actions preventing the attack.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
15th April 2024 
