Families Demand Accountability from MI5 Following Arena Attack

Families affected by the Manchester Arena bombing have called for increased scrutiny of MI5, the British domestic intelligence agency, following findings from an inquiry into the incident. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, which has been reviewed by the BBC, the families expressed their belief that MI5 failed to act on critical intelligence that may have prevented the attack, urging for the agency’s inclusion in a new law intended to enhance transparency in public institutions.

The inquiry revealed that the bombing could have potentially been avoided if MI5 had acted on vital intelligence received in the months leading up to the attack. Salman Abedi orchestrated the tragedy by detonating a homemade rucksack bomb during an Ariana Grande concert on May 22, 2017, resulting in the deaths of 22 individuals. The letter from the families poses a poignant question: “How many times must MI5 show that it cannot be trusted before something is done?”

Calls for Legislative Change

Under the leadership of Keir Starmer, the UK government has introduced the so-called Hillsborough Law, officially named the Public Office (Accountability) Bill. This legislation aims to compel public officials and contractors to provide truthful accounts following disasters and to ensure thorough investigations into organizations’ conduct. The families affected by the Manchester attack are advocating for MI5 to be held accountable under this new framework.

In a related development, a judge ruled in December 2022 that nearly £20 million is to be distributed to children injured in the bombing. A total of 16 victims, all under the age of 16 at the time of the attack, will receive compensation amounts ranging from £11.4 million to £2,770. Many of these children sustained “catastrophic” and life-altering injuries, while others continue to grapple with psychological trauma from the events they witnessed.

Inquiry Findings Highlight Missed Opportunities

Sir John Saunders, chair of the Manchester Arena inquiry, stated in March 2023 that MI5’s failure to act on crucial intelligence was a “significant missed opportunity” that may have allowed the bombing to be averted. He emphasized that there was a “realistic possibility” that the plot could have been disrupted had the agency responded more decisively to two specific intelligence pieces prior to the attack.

The inquiry did not disclose the nature of the intelligence but indicated that MI5 would have taken the return of Abedi from Libya, where he had been combatting alongside Islamist groups, “extremely seriously” had they acted on the information more firmly. Abedi returned to the UK just four days before the attack, reportedly using this period to construct the bomb while evading surveillance.

Sir John highlighted the potential for MI5 to have tracked Abedi to the location where he stored the explosives. Just over an hour after returning to the UK, he checked on the Nissan Micra that contained the bomb components. Subsequently, he rented a city centre flat where he assembled the device and surveyed the arena ahead of the concert.

The families’ demands for accountability reflect a broader desire for transparency and reform in the wake of tragic events. As the inquiry continues to unfold, the impact of the Manchester Arena attack remains a poignant reminder of the necessity for vigilant oversight in public safety and intelligence operations.