The mother of Martyn Hett, who lost his life in the Manchester Arena attack, said she is 'hopeful' for the future following the publication of a report outlining 'significant' failings in the emergency response to the atrocity. Figen Murray admitted that reading Volume II was 're-traumatising', but expressed her gratitude to author Sir John Saunders.
Sir John concluded that one of the 22 people killed- John Atkinson, 28, of Radcliffe - could have survived if the emergency services response had been better. He also stated that there was a 'remote possibility' that the youngest victim, eight-year-old Saffie-Rose Roussos, could have survived, but that it was 'highly likely' her death was 'inevitable even if the most comprehensive and advanced medical treatment had been initiated immediately after injury'.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News after the publication of the report, Figen said: "It’s always a bit surreal coming here because obviously you don’t want your life to be sitting in court for the reasons we’re here for. It’s always a bit difficult and re-traumatising .
"I’ve had several times today where I’ve pushed the report right back, leant back in the chair and thought I can’t take it anymore, then ten minutes later I’d go back to it. On one occasion I made myself a coffee and sat on a bench in the corner of the room because I needed that space.
"So it was a difficult read, but I’m really grateful all the points have been raised. Sir John has delivered a really amazing, very to the point report.
"He hasn’t left any stone unturned and it’s very powerful. Hopefully the emergency services deal with everything that is mentioned in those reports.
"The first thing was the difficult issue around communication within the services and that is something that has to be improved. Then there’s the lack of understanding where people get different meanings from different words - that needs to be dealt with. In an emergency like the Arena attack, those are fundamental things that need to happen.
"The operational structures need to be done better. People need to identify who is in command and who does what - all these things that didn’t happen simply need to happen.
"What made me feel very hopeful was what Sir John mentioned about life-saving kits and training. I’m really pleased that he mentioned it should go to school children.
"I don't see why year 12s can’t learn those skills, especially with knife crime. We need to become more resilient as the public because you never know when terrorists will strike. Terrorists who ring ahead and say what they’re going to do doesn’t happen anymore, it’s people self-initiating in their bedrooms and then going out carrying out attacks anywhere."
Since the attack, Figen has campaigned for 'Martyn's Law' legislation in memory of her son and in a press conference outside Manchester Magistrates' Court this afternoon (Thursday November 3) said that if the law had been in place on the night of the bombing that 'precious lives would have been saved'.
Figen has urged the government to bring forward the legislation. In May, it was confirmed in the Queen's Speech setting out the government's planned legislative programme.
The draft 'Protect Duty' Bill was one of 38 Bills announced in the package, following long delays to a period of public consultation due to the coronavirus pandemic. Under the proposals, venues would have a legal duty to devise and provide specific security plans for a terror attack, but there's been no update since then.
Figen told the M.E.N. that the work she and others have put in will end up being 'a waste of time' if the government 'waters it down' and doesn't include smaller venues such as cafes, restaurants and cinemas. Asked whether the wait for it to be implemented has been 'frustrating', she responded: "Frustrating is the wrong word because I’m a very tolerant, patient person and I didn’t anticipate how long it takes for legislation to happen in the first place.
"We need to remember we’ve had Covid and several changes in government so all of these things delayed matters but now we have a new government in place and I’m really really really hoping that this happens now. I’ve just made it known today that they really need to move on with it now and thankfully Sir John mentioned it.
"However, Sir John mentioned larger venues and I want to say that it’s really important the small venues do this as well. If anything, it’s more important because the larger venues already have security measures in place that they can use better.
"But it’s cafes, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, that need the training, the risk assessments and my fear is that the government will water it down a bit and just implement it for large venues. If that’s the case then it will be a waste of time. So I hope that’s not the case."
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