Claimants Sue MI5 Over Manchester Arena Bombing Failures

In November 2024, over 250 survivors and bereaved individuals from the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing are taking legal action against the UK’s security services. The claims are being presented at an Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) in London, highlighting the alleged shortcomings of MI5, MI6, and GCHQ prior to the attack. Neil Sheldon KC, representing the security services, disputes the claimants' portrayal of MI5 as defensive and lacking transparency. Contrarily, Pete Weatherby KC argues that MI5 failed to acknowledge significant mistakes that could have contributed to preventing the attack. During the proceedings, it was revealed that MI5 had prior intelligence indicating potential terrorist implications related to Salman Abedi. Despite this, official communications had described the intelligence as linked solely to minor criminality. The inquiry has faced criticism for presenting misleading or incomplete evidence regarding MI5's actions, with claimants asserting they were not made aware of crucial information in the years following the attack. Weatherby contends that the claimants had legitimate reasons to initiate legal action only after the public inquiry's conclusion last year. Their legal pursuit includes seeking damages for the profound psychological effects suffered by bereaved families, including one mother who witnessed her daughter’s tragic demise in an ambulance. The court is examining the potential failures in the response to intelligence that could have thwarted the bombing. This ongoing case emphasizes questions around accountability and transparency within security services regarding their handling of intelligence relevant to public safety.