Manchester Arena bombing victims' families claim MI5 trying to 'wriggle out of justice'

Families of the Manchester Arena bomb victims claim MI5 chiefs are trying to “wriggle out of justice”.

More than 250 people whose lives were devastated by the atrocity at the concert in 2017 have teamed up to sue the intelligence service. They say MI5 failed to act on intelligence that could have stopped the atrocity. But MI5’s lawyers claim it is too late to take them to court, according to the Sunday Times.

Charlotte Hodgson, mum of victim Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15, was “disgusted” by MI5’s response. She said: “We want the truth, we want justice. I am sick of these companies and organisations trying to wriggle out of justice for my daughter.” The bomb killed 22 people and injured more than 1,000.

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Lawyers representing those injured said they have submitted a group claim to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. This news came a year after a public inquiry found MI5 missed a significant chance to take action that might have stopped the bombing, with the service’s director-general Ken McCallum admitting that he was “profoundly sorry”.

But MI5’s legal team reportedly wants the claim thrown out on a technicality, as it was lodged more than 12 months after the attack. But survivors and victims’ families argue the evidence of missed intelligence emerged only during the inquiry, which published its final report in March 2023.

The private claim was lodged by Hudgell Solicitors, Slater and Gordon and Broudie Jackson Canter, who say MI5’s actions fell short of its requirements under the Human Rights Act. The IPT hears human rights complaints against the intelligence services and police.

The judicial body may probe older complaints on a discretionary basis but must not reveal information contrary to the public interest or national security. Its panel is made up of judges, barristers and solicitors. A hearing is set for November 5.

The dad of youngest victim, Saffie-Rose Roussos, eight, is thought to be among those suing. Salman Abedi, 22, known to MI5, detonated a bomb in his rucksack as crowds left the gig. The inquiry heard MI5 did not share intelligence on Abedi with local counter terror police. Abedi may have had the bomb switch in his pocket when he arrived at Airport from Libya four days before, the inquiry found in 2023.

A live investigation might have led to him being searched. The Home Office said it cannot comment on ongoing legal proceedings.