Figen Murray, mother to Martyn Hett who died in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, has embarked on a poignant 200-mile walk from the Arena to Downing Street, pushing for the enactment of ‘Martyn’s Law’ to bolster anti-terrorism measures in public venues.
Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett who was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, has undertaken a 200-mile walk from the arena to Downing Street. Her action is aimed at advocating for the enactment of “Martyn’s Law”, a proposed legislation intended to enhance anti-terrorism protections in public venues across the UK. Martyn’s Law would require venues and local authorities to implement specific training and preventative measures to combat terrorism.
Murray started her journey with support from various individuals, including security experts and Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester. She aims to meet with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, having been told 18 months prior that he supported the law’s implementation. Her walk is timed to coincide with the anniversary of her son’s death, underscoring her commitment to seeing the law passed without further delay.
The law, which was a promise in the Conservative 2019 Manifesto, has been criticized in its draft form by the Home Affairs Select Committee for potentially placing undue burdens on small businesses and for doubts about its effectiveness in preventing terrorist acts. Despite this, the Home Office has stated that the final stages of drafting the legislation are underway and plans to introduce it soon as a measure to strengthen public safety against terror threats.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has announced plans to address the housing crisis in the region by proposing the construction of at least 10,000 new council homes and suspending the right to buy scheme for new properties. Burnham’s initiative aims to provide more affordable housing and shape policy to reflect more localized needs, especially in transportation and housing sectors.
