Mother of Manchester Arena attack victim succeeds in effort to get airport-style searches

This article is more than 8 months old

This article is more than 8 months old

Airport-style security checks could be introduced across public venues after the government backed a campaign by the mother of a Manchester Arena attack victim.

Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was one of the 22 people who died in the 2017 attack, has lobbied for stronger anti-terror security measures.

Brandon Lewis, the security minister, said Boris Johnson was “100%” behind the proposals for bag searches and metal detectors at big venues such as concert and sport arenas.

Manchester city council has pledged to adopt “Martyn’s law” early through new licensing rules.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Lewis said: “The prime minister, home secre­tary and I are all 100% behind Figen and are working to improve security measures at public venues and spaces.

“We are working quickly to come up with a solution that will honour Martyn’s memory and all of those affected by terrorism.

He added: “I am pleased that last week Man­chester city council announced new licensing rules, but we are committed to going further and making Martyn’s law a reality for all public venues across the UK.”

Murray has been pushing for stronger anti-terror security measures since 2018. The government has now backed the plan, but has not yet set a timetable for its implementation.

The government announcement represents a shift from the Home Office’s 2019 resistance to Murray’s petition, when it responded that while it provided advice to venues on appropriate and proportionate security measures, there were “no plans to mandate specific security measures”.

Murray told the BBC: “I am absolutely delighted. I met with Mr Lewis a few weeks ago but did not realise they were moving things on so quickly.

“If the government do make this a reality then it will be a fitting tribute to not only Martyn but all those who died that night.”

The government backing follows calls by the mayor of Greater Manchester for mandatory security checks at large-scale public venues last year.

Andy Burnham said: “I believe there is a clear case for a thorough review of security measures at major sporting and entertainment event venues to establish clearly understood mandatory standards and I call on the government to initiate one.

“We need to have clear minimum and mandatory standards at all venues so there is clarity for operators, and confidence for the public.”