Over 250 individuals affected by the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorist attack have begun legal proceedings against MI5, questioning the agency’s handling of intelligence before the tragedy.
Over 250 survivors of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, during an Ariana Grande concert, have initiated legal action against the UK’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5. This legal action, filed with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, seeks accountability for MI5’s handling of intelligence related to Salman Abedi, the bomber who carried out the attack that tragically killed 22 people and injured over 100.
The inquiry into the incident disclosed that MI5 had previous intelligence about Abedi, which was not adequately acted upon. MI5 Director-General Ken McCallum has publicly expressed regret over the agency’s failure to prevent the attack, acknowledging that the tragic event might have been averted. The survivors, represented by law firms including Hudgell Solicitors, Slater & Gordon, and Broudie Jackson Canter, are pursuing claims under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and the Human Rights Act 1998.
The legal proceedings highlight issues of intelligence handling and the need for accountability in matters of public safety. MI5 has refrained from commenting on the ongoing legal matter. The outcome of this case could potentially influence operational policies of intelligence agencies in handling threat-related information.
