A new law aimed at ensuring stronger protections against terrorism in venues across the UK is set to be introduced, the Home Office has announced.
It will be known as ‘Martyn’s Law’.
The new law will be named in tribute of Martyn Hett, who was one of 22 people tragically killed in the Manchester Arena attack back in 2017 – and will be introduced following the tireless campaigning of his inspirational mother, Figen Murray.
By working closely with security partners, business and victims’ groups – including Figen Murray and the Martyn’s Law Campaign Team, as well as Survivors Against Terror – the Home Office said the new law will require venues across the UK to “take steps to improve public safety”.
It adds that measures will be dependent on the size of the venue and the activity taking place.
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Describing the terror threat level as “complex and ever-evolving”, with recent attacks having shown that terrorists may choose to target a broad range of locations, the Home Office explained that Martyn’s Law will ensure that security preparedness is delivered “consistently” nationwide to ensure better protection of the public.
The plans for the introduction of the new law have been developed following what the government has called “extensive engagement” across the industry, charities, local authorities, security experts, and with survivors.
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It’s also been developed through public consultation – with 70% of the thousands who responded agreeing that those responsible for venues and publicly-accessible locations in the UK should take measures to protect the public from potential attacks.
Today, we announced how #MartynsLaw will help protect public spaces from terror attacks.
Named in of honour of Martyn Hett, who lost his life in the Manchester Arena attack, this is what the law will do ⤵️
“Martyn’s Law isn’t going to stop terrorism,” Figen Murray said on the news of the law’s introduction.
“But common-sense security, and making sure venues are doing all they can to keep people safe, could mean fewer suffer what myself and the families of Manchester have had to endure [so] I welcome the government’s commitment to including smaller venues and working quickly on this legislation.
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“It is vital we now take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and others wherever possible and I hope other countries learn from this ground-breaking legislation.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says he is “committed” to improving security measures at public venues and spaces.
“The way the city of Manchester came together as a community in the wake of the cowardly Manchester Arena attack, and the amazing work of campaigners like Figen Murray who have dedicated their lives to making us safer and promoting kindness and tolerance, is an inspiration to us all,” Mr Sunak commented.
“I am committed to working with Figen to improve security measures at public venues and spaces and to delivering this vital legislation to honour Martyn’s memory and all of those affected by terrorism.”
I spoke to @FigenMurray last week to thank her for her tireless work to make venues safer through Martyn's Law.
She is an inspiration and I am committed to delivering this vital legislation in tribute to Martyn's memory. https://t.co/JhwxGOHCtW
According to the Home Office, Martyn’s Law will follow a tiered model linked to the nature of the activity that takes place at a location and its capacity – which is aimed at preventing “undue burden” on businesses.
Martyn’s Law will extend to and apply across the whole of the UK.
The government says it will publish draft legislation in early Spring 2023 to ensure the law “stands the test of time”.
Featured Image – Family Handout / gov.uk
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‘Sad news’ – the world’s only Vagina Museum has been forced to close
Daisy Jackson
There’s a museum for just about everything these days (we all remember trips to the Stockport Hat Works museum) – but the world’s only space dedicated to vaginas has been forced to close again.
The world-first Vagina Museum announced this week that it’s had to vacate its premises and has once again been left ‘homeless’.
The museum, which welcomed 40,000 visitors in the 10 months it was open, was founded to raise awareness of the gynaecological anatomy and health, erase stigma, and act as a forum for feminism.
Inside, visitors could browse everything from educational materials to art pieces inspired by vaginas and vulvas – including giant tampons decorated in red sequins.
The Vagina Museum said it was ‘disappointed’ that it has been asked to leave its space, adding that it will continue to operate digitally until it finds a new base.
They wrote in a heartfelt statement on social media that they were ‘incredibly proud’ of the museum’s achievements.
Fans of the space queued down the street for its final few days in Bethnal Green, before its eventual closure on Wednesday 1 February.
Their statement said: “Sad news. We’ve received notice to vacate our premises at Bethnal Green by the end of this week. As a property guardianship, we’ve always been aware that we may be asked to leave with very short notice. We’re disappointed that it has come so soon.
“@Enter_theVenue the creative hub with whom we share our space, have also been asked to leave. The Vagina Museum will continue to operate in the digital world as we search for a new home.”
The message continued: “We’re sad about this development, but incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished in the ten months we’ve been at our Bethnal Green premises. We’ve welcomed more than 40,000 visitors through our doors, and received so much love and positive feedback.
“In our time at Bethnal Green, we’ve once again demonstrated just how much the world needs and wants a Vagina Museum.
“Times are, once again, uncertain for us, but we’ve been through this before and risen stronger than ever. With a community like you supporting us, we know we can get through this too.
“We’re actively searching for a new home, and if you know of any vacant spaces (or have one yourself!) please don’t hesitate to reach out. In our home in Bethnal Green, we and ENTER demonstrated that we can transform an empty, unused building into a thriving heart of a community.
“If you don’t have a building, you can still help! Please consider making a donation; a donation of any size makes a huge difference and will help us to weather this storm, just as we’ve weathered storms before.”
The Vagina Museum concluded its thread with: “We’ve made it through a pandemic and a period of temporary homelessness before. With you, together, we can make it through this too.”
Gary Neville addresses ‘clumsy like’ on Tweet about Mason Greenwood 
Daisy Jackson
Gary Neville has said that his liking of a tweet about Mason Greenwood has been ‘misinterpreted’.
The former Manchester United legend and football pundit set off a Twitter storm last night after he ‘liked’ two tweets by Nazir Afzal, and briefly retweeted one.
The tweets in question said that Greenwood was an ‘innocent man’ and added that ‘you are innocent until PROVEN guilty’.
Mason Greenwood had all criminal charges against him dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.
He had faced allegations of rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault, all against the same woman.
The CPS said that Greenwood case had been stopped because of ‘the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light’, adding that there was no longer a ‘realistic prospect of conviction’.
Gary Neville has spoken about his ‘clumsy like’ of a tweet professing Mason Greenwood’s innocence. Credit: Instagram, Gary Neville
Several people noticed that Neville had liked a tweet about Greenwood’s ‘innocence’ and quickly challenged him on it.
One person shared a screenshot and wrote: “You have a massive platform and you’re liking bulls**t like this just because the monster plays for a team you support. you’re disgusting @GNev2.”
He posted: “I liked a tweet relating to the Mason Greenwood news this afternoon from Nazir Afzal. ( the former director of public prosecutions ).
“This like is being misinterpreted. It was a clumsy like as I obviously condemn any violence against women.”
Greenwood issued a short statement yesterday, writing: “I am relieved that this matter is now over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support. There will be no further comment at this time.”
Featured image: Instagram, @garyneville2 / publicity picture