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Families’ emotional message as Manchester Arena Inquiry final report reveals MI5 ‘failures’
‘Shame on you all’
Families of the Manchester Arena attack victims made emotional statements outside court today as the final report revealed the security service MI5 ‘missed a significant opportunity’ to take action that may have prevented the bombing.
As the third and final report into the deaths of the 22 victims of the 2017 attack was revealed outside Manchester Crown Court on Thursday March 2nd, chairman Sir John Saunders said the reason for the missed chance included a ‘failure’ by an MI5 officer to act swiftly enough. The report considered how Salman Abedi was radicalised and if there were any chances security services missed to stop him and prevent the tragedy.
On May 22nd 2017, 22 people were killed when Abedi detonated a homemade explosive device in the foyer at the Manchester Arena as crowds left the Arianna Grande concert. Caroline Curry, the mother of victim Liam Curry made a statement on behalf of her family and Lisa and Mark Rutherford, parents of Chloe Rutherford. Liam, 19, and his girlfriend Chloe Rutherford, 17, were among 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena bomb attack.
In the statement Ms Curry said ‘all the families have asked for is the truth and acknowledgement of failures’ and ‘determination those failures are fixed’. Adding, she ‘hopes no other families will ever have to go through the heartbreak’ they experienced. She said she ‘didn’t get any of that acknowledgement from anyone other than the Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service until the chairman’s report was published’.
“Shame on you all,” she added.
Martyn Hett’s parents, mum Figen Murray and stepfather Stuart Murray, said an emotional piece as Mrs Murray spoke about ‘moving forward’ and ‘for everyone concerned to learn from their mistakes and take heed of the recommendations’.
The 29-year-old social media manager was on a night out with friends and was just four metres away from Abedi when he detonated his suicide bomb. Mrs Murray said it seems like terrorists ‘are always a step or two ahead of us and we need to act fast’ and mentioned there was an ‘abundance of mistakes and failures’ made by a ‘raft of organisations and people’. But she added: “We are not here to point fingers.”
However, failure to implement recommendations risks ‘another catastrophic mistake’, she added.
Mr Murray ended the statements made by families, by saying: “We are from Manchester, the city of bees. There’s something been buzzing around in my head for a while…
“Shortly after the attack, St Ann’s Square was full of people from all over singing an Oasis song, ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’, I heard them say. Thank you.”
Richard Scorer, principal lawyer at Slater and Gordon who represented 11 of the families at the inquiry, said on behalf of the families that the findings were deeply painful but ‘eye opening’ and the ‘failures exposed in this report are unacceptable’. He said ‘the failures, at the very least, prevented a real possibility of preventing the attack’ and called for the current system to change to ensure ‘information of national security importance will be acted on speedily’ to protect the public.
Chairman Sir John Saunders said he found it wasn’t possible to reach a finding ‘on the balance of probabilities or to any other evidentiary standard’ as to whether the attack ‘would have been prevented’ had that action been taken. Though he added: “However, there was a realistic possibility that actionable intelligence could have been obtained which might have led to actions preventing the attack.”
On behalf of the security service, MI5 Director General Ken McCallum issued a public apology as he said he is ‘profoundly sorry’ that the secret service was not able to prevent the Manchester Arena attack. He said gathering ‘covert intelligence is difficult’ but had the security service managed to ‘seize the slim chance we had, those impacted might not have experienced such appalling loss and trauma’.
Chief Constable Stephen Watson QPM, Greater Manchester Police, said: “On this difficult day, our thoughts are with the bereaved families and the survivors of the cowardly and brutal act that took place at the Manchester Arena on May 22nd, 2017.
“I thank the Chairman, Sir John Saunders, for the final volume of a highly comprehensive inquiry which has already done much to shape and deliver improvements into how Greater Manchester Police prepare for and respond to major incidents.
“We are fully resolved to never repeating the failings previously identified and will ensure that the final volume is fully reviewed and considered. We will do this with a continued fierce determination to ensure that the loss and hurt experienced by those still suffering will not be in vain.”
The Home Secretary Suella Braverman has responded to the findings of the inquiry this afternoon, saying in a statement: “Today is a difficult day. On May 22nd 2017, an act of pure evil took the lives of 22 people at Manchester Arena. My thoughts are with their loved ones and all those who had their lives changed forever.
“Over the past three years, the Manchester Arena Inquiry has carefully analysed critical evidence to ensure vital lessons are learned. I am grateful to Sir John Saunders and his team for their thorough and considered approach.
“I am committed to working with MI5, policing and partners to study the recommendations. Together we will do everything possible to prevent a repeat of this horrifying attack.”
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Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
News
More human remains discovered in Greater Manchester as police identify victim
All the latest updates
Detectives investigating the discovery of a torso in Kersal Dale have found more human remains around Greater Manchester.
GMP released a statement on the weekend, revealing they had opened four scenes for extensive searches – one of them at a warehouse in Bury, and three in Salford.
Searches took place at Blackleach reservoir, where human remains were found, and a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood.
Officers believe they have now identified the man, who they believe to be a man in his 60s that lived in Salford, and his family have been informed.
Two suspects have already been arrested in connection with the murder probe, with officers saying they are thought to have lived with the victim.
Greater Manchester Police / Facebook
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, Senior Investigating Officer for this investigation, said in a statement at Blackleach reservoir yesterday, Sunday April 28th: “We have continued to make significant progress in our investigation into human remains being found in Kersal earlier this month.
“From day one, our priority has been to identify the man and his family so that we can give them the support and the answers that they need.
“Thanks to meticulous forensic work, we are now confident we have identified the man. Formal identification hasn’t yet taken place, but we believe he is a man in his 60s and lived in Salford.
“Specially-trained family liaison officers have met with his family this afternoon to give them the devastating news, and we will do all that we can to support them at this awful time.
“We believe he is known to the two suspects we have in custody. They have remained in custody for questioning over the weekend, as we work to establish how the victim met this tragic outcome.”
He continued: “We have painstakingly worked to follow up every line of inquiry in this investigation. Over the last couple of days, we have acted on information and had four scenes in place for extensive searches – one of them is at a warehouse in Bury, and three of them are in Salford, including here at Blackleach reservoir.
“Today, we have found some human remains at the reservoir here, and last night a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood. Forensic tests will continue to establish whose remains these are, but we are very confident that this is also the victim in our investigation.
“We have also been searching a house in Winton where we believe the victim and the two suspects lived. We have found evidence that the victim is likely to have died there – most likely in late March.
“While this is significant progress, we know there is still some way to go to complete this investigation. I also recognise details of this case will have been distressing for the people of Salford and beyond – including the officers that are diligently working on this investigation, and most importantly the man’s heartbroken family.
“Local officers will continue to patrol the affected areas, and we will provide updates when we have more information.”
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