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.
A literacy charity is making its way to Manchester bringing lots of FREE books
Thomas Melia
A charity dedicated to literacy is coming to Manchester in May providing families and individuals with plenty of free books.
Led by Bookbanks, this London-founded organisation was set up in line with food banks to provide people with access to free books and now they’re coming all the way to Manchester.
This charity started in 2022 all thanks to writer and journalist Emily Rhodes, who has read her fair share of books and wants to give this privilege to anyone who might not be able to get their hands on any.
The charity has seen widespread positive reception quickly expanding into Norfolk and is now partnering with various food banks in Manchester, marking the organisation’s first Northern venture.
Bookbanks gives out an average of 30 books per week, per site and has distributed over 5,000 books so far at food banks.
Crates being organised in Manchester food bank.Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
Titled Bookbanks after the fact that they work very closely with food banks to provide books far and wide to food banks across the UK, they also host a range of interactive events.
Alongside all the fantastic work the team do, there’s a handful of free workshops and author events on offer for all ages and backgrounds, to further build the connection between people and their books.
Currently, there are two famous figures backing this book-based charity, Elizabeth Day and Andrew O’Hagan, both of which are no stranger to a pen and paper.
Day is an award-winning author who has written nine fiction and non-fiction books to date, while O’Hagan is Booker Prize nominated and is London Review of Books’ Editor-at-Large.
Bookbanks relies on the general public to spread their message further and there’s even a section on their website detailing how you can get involved to continue distributing books within food banks.
One of Bookbank’s many free author events, some of which will hopefully take place in Manchester.Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
Whether you’re an avid runner or keen to try something new why not raise money for and be sponsored by Bookbanks, knowing you’ve done your bit to bring books to those who need them most.
If you don’t fancy lacing up those trainers and heading out for a run, why not donate any old books you’ve finished reading to this book-focused charity and allow others to discover a whole new world of reading.
Bookbanks first official Manchester site will launch on Friday 2 May at Manchester Central Food bank and a second site is already in talks at Greater Together Manchester’s Social Supermarket in Miles Platting.
To find out more ways to get involved as a company, publisher, member of public and more, you can find all information on their official site HERE.
Featured Image: Publicity Picture via Annabelle Williams
News
Touching tribute paid to man and his dog who died together in fatal collision
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who was killed in a fatal collision last month, alongside his beloved dog, have paid tribute to him.
Andrew Old, 61, had been walking along Greenwood Road in Wythenshawe when he was struck by a vehicle that had been involved in a collision.
He had been waking his ‘lovely’ dog, Liddy, who also died at the scene.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Sunday 9 March but tragically both Andrew and his beloved pet passed away.
Paying tribute to him, Andrew’s family said: “Andrew was our happy go lucky brother and he is so sadly missed by us all.
“We miss his smiles, his laughter, his jokes and his hourly phone calls.
“Words cannot describe the shock and disbelief that we feel due to the loss of Andrew, we are absolutely devastated.
“Andrew tragically died only metres from his home, whilst walking his lovely dog Liddy.
“The only solace we have is that Andrew and Liddy were not alone at such a horrific time and that they were together. Andrew and Liddy will always be in our hearts.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th April 2024 
