Campaigners fear government plans to make public venues safe from terror attacks are being watered down.
They spoke out as part two of the public inquiry report into the Manchester Arena attack is published Thursday.
Figen Murray’s son Martyn Hett, 29, was one of the 22 people killed by suicide bomber Salman Abedi in May 2017.
She has since spearheaded a campaign for Martyn’s Law, which would require public venues to safeguard customers.
The government announced its support for a ‘Duty to Protect’ in 2019, and Security Minster Tom Tugendhat said he is “working hard” to make it happen.
But Ms Murray said: “I keep getting told we have the support of the government yet legislation is being consistently delayed.
“Martyn’s Law would save lives and every day it’s not in place is another day we are putting the public at risk.
“I have now met five different security ministers, all of whom have said how important it is and how imminent the legislation is. Yet over five years on from the attack we are yet to see it. We are now hearing rumours that some in government are trying to water it down to such an extent that it would pass in name only.
“I know that politics has been in turmoil in recent months, but there is no excuse for delaying or weakening legislation that could save thousands of lives.”
Cath Hill, who was at the Arena with her son on the night of the attack and has since set up the Manchester Survivor’s choir ,said: “We have all been through so much pain in the last five years.
"One of the few hopes we cling onto is that what happened to us will mean we learn the lessons and protect others. But for that to happen the government needs to change their warm words into concrete legislation.”
Nick Aldworth, former Det Chief Supt and UK Counter Terrorism national coordinator said: “I’m frustrated by how long it is taking for the government to fulfil what was a manifesto promise.
“When you consider that myself and other senior Police officers were calling for this legislation within days of the Manchester Arena Attack, it’s time for that experienced view to be listened to, and survivors and victims to be respected.”
Brendan Cox, co-founder of Survivor’s Against Terror which is supporting Figen’s campaign said: “Survivors are understandably getting frustrated with government foot dragging. This is a law that has all party support and would make our country safer. If there were another attack where failure to prepare made the attack more deadly, the government would not be able to say it wasn’t warned.”
Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, said: “I’m very grateful to Figen Murray’s tireless campaigning and Martyn’s Law will ensure public places put safety and security first.
“The commitment made to the ‘Protect Duty’ in the Queen’s Speech and the 2019 manifesto remains.
“I am working hard with officials to bring forward this important piece of legislation as soon as possible.”
The Protect Duty, also known as Martyn’s Law, which was announced in this year’s Queen’s Speech, will impose a duty on venue operators to consider the risk of a terrorist attack and take steps to protect staff and the public.
The second report of the Public Inquiry into the Manchester Arena terror attack will focus on the emergency response to both the attack and the victims of the 2017 atrocity.
