Families of Manchester Arena Bombing Victims Sue MI5 for Justice

In October 2024, over 250 families affected by the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing filed a lawsuit against MI5, alleging negligence in addressing crucial intelligence. This bombing, which occurred during an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017, resulted in the tragic loss of 22 lives and left more than 1,000 individuals injured. The families, devastated by the attack, seek justice and accountability for the intelligence failure that allowed the tragedy to occur. The inquiry into the bombing concluded that MI5 missed significant opportunities to prevent the attack. The service's director-general, Ken McCallum, publicly acknowledged this failure and expressed remorse. Despite this, MI5's lawyers are attempting to dismiss the lawsuit on the basis that it was filed more than a year after the attack. However, the families argue that they only became aware of the critical missed intelligence during the inquiry, which published its findings in March 2023. The lawsuit, organized by Hudgell Solicitors, Slater and Gordon, and Broudie Jackson Canter, asserts that the actions of MI5 fell short of its responsibilities under the Human Rights Act. This judicial process, which will review human rights complaints against intelligence services, is set to examine how effectively MI5 responded to known threats. The hearing is anticipated to take place soon, potentially shedding light on the case. The bombing was perpetrated by Salman Abedi, who had been known to MI5 before the incident. Intelligence that could have prevented this tragedy did not reach local counter-terrorism police, underscoring the critical issues surrounding information sharing and operational protocols. Families of the victims are determined to ensure accountability and to understand the extent of the failures involved.