The mother of one of the victims from the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 has completed a 200-mile walk to Downing Street. Figen Murray’s efforts are aimed at changing UK law to introduce stronger protections against terrorism in public places, after her son Martyn Hett was killed in the attack. A suicide bomber detonated a homemade bomb in a public foyer of the arena while fans were leaving an Ariana Grande concert. The attack killed 22 people and injured over 500.
Murray’s campaign is for “Martyn’s Law”, which would require venues and local authorities across the UK to have training requirements and preventative plans against terror attacks. The law was promised by the Conservative Party in 2019 but was criticised last summer for its potential impact on small businesses. The UK government has said it is still committed to bringing in the law.
Murray said, “Martyn’s death could have been avoided if there were basic security measures in place that night and that is why I have been tirelessly campaigning to ensure no parent experiences the pain and loss that I endure daily.” Today marks the seventh anniversary of the attack.
Last week, Nickelback and The Lottery Winners performed an emotional rendition of Oasis’ ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ at the AO Arena for the victims of the attack. The two bands are currently touring the UK together.
Inquiry findings into the 2017 attack stated that there were missed opportunities to minimise the devastating impact of the attack, and that victims were failed on every level. Murray’s efforts to change UK law follow along with similar sentiments shared by Paul Hett, Martyn’s father, after a public inquiry into the bombings. In response to criticism, the new law is currently in its final stages of drafting and will be brought in as soon as possible
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