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.
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces VAT cuts on household electricity bills over winter
Emily Sergeant
It’s been less than 24 hours since Andy Burnham officially became Prime Minister, and he’s already announced his first measure.
After giving his first speech as Prime Minister outside the doors of Number 10 yesterday, where he said he intended to ‘give people some breathing space’ straight out the gate, it has now been announced that millions of households across the UK will benefit from immediate action to help with their electricity bills this winter.
The Government says it wants to address the cost of living crisis first and foremost, and will do this by tackling rising bills with a tax cut to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October, just in time to impact the next Ofgem price cap.
This immediate action applies and is funded for this financial year.
The cost of this immediate action for this financial year is being funded from the £1.8bn Digital ID programme – which Burnham also announced he would be scrapping.
Any further action – including on funding for longer-term measures – will be taken at the Budget, alongside an Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast, and all decisions at that point will continue to be funded with the Government’s fiscal rules, it has been confirmed.
Cutting VAT on electricity bills is expected to take around £45 off the yearly Ofgem price cap in October, and this is on top of the £150 removed from bills at the last Budget.
All suppliers are expected to pass the VAT reduction on to all customers, including those on fixed tariffs.
Small businesses who qualify for the domestic energy VAT relief and are not registered for VAT, as well as charities and residential care homes eligible for the reduced rate, will also benefit.
“I said I wanted to give people breathing space, and that’s what I’m announcing on my second day as Prime Minister. We’re taking immediate action to cut taxes on energy bills, put more money in people’s pockets, and bring back hope.”
England international and ex-Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan dies at 75
Danny Jones
Football veteran and legend of the English game, Kevin Keegan OBE, has sadly died at the age of 75.
A former Liverpool and Newcastle player, not to mention England international, turned Manchester City manager and even Three Lions boss, his death was announced on Monday, 20 July.
The news comes following a battle with illness since the start of the year, after it was revealed that he was tragically diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer back in January.
The original ‘King Kev’ before the likes of De Bruyne, also affectionately known in the footballing world as ‘Mighty Mouse’, is said to have passed away with key members of his close family by his side.
Confirmed via a public statement issued to Sky Sports journalist Pete Graves, they wrote: “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.
“The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments. “Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather.”
Put simply, he had an incredible career and leaves a lasting legacy.
It goes on to read: “The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support. This is a hugely difficult time, and they are requesting space and privacy.”
Naturally, tributes are already flooding in online, with ex-pros, pundits and fans alike labelling him among England’s best-loved father figures and characters, with one user notably dubbing him as “one of football’s good guys.”
Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, after battling cancer.
The England, Liverpool and Newcastle United legend will be remembered as one of English football's most decorated players. pic.twitter.com/oNIPUV806n
Even at his fiery and most passionate best, he was still one of the most respected figures in the history of English football and the sporting world at large.
For instance, arguably his most iconic interview as Newcastle boss ahead of his team’s clash against Manchester United back in 1995/96 only showed how mild-mannered he often came across.
Our thoughts go out to his friends, family, former teammates and all those mourning the familiar face with a famously good head of hair.
Emily Sergeant -
15th April 2024 
