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Question
How can we prevent similar attacks in public places, especially considering concerns about information sharing failures?
Minister reply
The minister emphasised the importance of improving communication between security agencies and implementing preventive measures such as Martyn’s Law. She committed to reviewing Sir John Saunders’ recommendations thoroughly and ensuring that lessons are learned from the Manchester attack.
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Question
What steps will be taken to address gaps in information sharing between MI5, police, and educational institutions?
Minister reply
The Home Secretary committed to addressing the recommendations made by Sir John Saunders regarding better coordination and information sharing. She noted that enhancing cooperation is a priority for the government.
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Question
On 22 May 2017, a pop concert turned into a horrific terrorist attack with 22 lives lost. The MP questions the Home Secretary about Martyn's law, closed recommendations from the inquiry report to be shared with the Intelligence and Security Committee, prison visits for convicted terrorists not triggering further assessments, online radicalisation strategies being out of date, conducting a review on violent misogyny as an indicator of extremism, resource adequacy given new threats from hostile states, and meeting Survivors Against Terror to provide more support.
Minister reply
The Home Secretary thanked the MP for her questions. She confirmed that draft legislation for Martyn's law will be published in spring with a Bill introduced when parliamentary time allows. On closed recommendations, the ISC is equipped to monitor them as per Sir John Saunders' arrangements. New measures include an approved contacts scheme to check visitors and phone contacts of convicted terrorists. Additional funding supports Prevent delivery, and the IPA will assist victims navigating post-incident systems.
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Question
On behalf of the ISC, he extends deepest sympathies to those affected by the Manchester Arena terror attack. He welcomes publication of volume 3 of the inquiry report and asks whether the Government acknowledges that the ISC is the only Committee equipped with facilities and clearances for classified scrutiny.
Minister reply
The Home Secretary confirms that Sir John Saunders has arranged for monitoring recommendations, noting the closed part hasn't been shared yet. The Government will consider ISC's role in light of existing MOU between them. She affirms the ISC is an effective forum for scrutinising implementation of inquiry findings.
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Question
The awful events on 22 May 2017 led to the deaths of 22 innocent people and to hundreds more being injured and affected for the rest of their lives. The inquiry has found that MI5 failed to prevent this heinous attack due to poor communication and information sharing, leading to missed opportunities to follow the bomber's movements. What steps is she taking to ensure better communications and information sharing within security services? Additionally, can the Home Secretary provide further information on whether the investigation will continue to search for those who assisted the bomber in Libya?
Minister reply
Following the attacks in 2017, MI5 and counter-terrorism policing carried out a series of reviews that led to 126 recommendations aimed at improving data sharing, data exploitation, and threat assessment. An independent review concluded that these measures will strengthen MI5's ability to prevent most terrorist attacks. The Government is also investing £370 million in a new counter-terrorism operations centre (CTOC) to improve the collaboration of UK counter-terrorism efforts.
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Question
With 22 people murdered and more than 1,000 injured, the impact of this attack on families will last for a lifetime. What conversations is she having with venues to ensure they start acting now to secure public spaces against potential terrorist threats until legislation such as Martyn’s law can be put in place?
Minister reply
We are introducing legislative requirements through Martyn's law to impose legal duties on public venues and those responsible for public spaces. Until then, the Government is providing high-quality advice, best practices, and support to ensure robust security measures.
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Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Question
The Manchester Arena attack led to the devastating loss of 22 innocent lives. Given how long victims have been waiting for this report and its findings, what will be done now to address the wrongs identified in the report?
Minister reply
I associate myself with the hon. Gentleman's comments on his constituents and their dignity during this investigation. The Home Secretary acknowledges Sir John's report, which provides an authoritative conclusion and assessment of the incident, enabling us to learn from it and prevent similar incidents in future.
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Question
The Home Secretary is commended for her statement today, especially regarding the refocusing of Prevent on Islamist fundamentalism. How will she take account of the inquiry's recommendations concerning collaboration between counter-terrorism police and intelligence services and the continued observation of those who were subjects of interest but now face less stringent surveillance?
Minister reply
The Security Service and Counter Terrorism Policing are committed to strengthening our defences against terrorism, including lone-actor terrorists whose activities are more difficult to track. Prevent remains a vital tool for early intervention in reducing the threat posed by terrorism.
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Question
The arena bomb was one of the most distressing episodes due to life-changing injuries sustained by children. The report highlights a lack of update to the counter-extremism strategy, particularly concerning monitoring individuals with links to countries such as Libya visiting known terror offenders in prison. How will this be addressed? Additionally, how will survivors and victims’ families be supported now that the inquiry has concluded?
Minister reply
The Government is updating our world-leading counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, to protect the public from new threats. The Home Secretary also acknowledges the heroic efforts of victims' families in voicing their concerns, which have informed recommendations for future practice by security agencies.
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Question
Asks about accountability for the failures highlighted in the report, particularly concerning MI5's missed opportunities and the negligence of venue owners, security contractors, and emergency services.
Minister reply
The Home Secretary acknowledges that there were failings but emphasises that responsibility lies with the bomber. She cites Sir John Saunders' conclusions that it is impossible to say definitively whether lives could have been saved through different actions. The Government is committed to learning from the report's lessons and applying them in practice.
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Question
Questions why nothing has been done since 2018 regarding chemical precursors, expresses disappointment with the Government’s response to ISC recommendations, and criticises actions during scrutiny of the National Security Bill.
Minister reply
The Home Secretary outlines measures taken to enhance capabilities in detecting terrorist activity involving chemicals and regulating precursor materials. She notes that while much has been done since 2017, there is always room for further improvement.
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Question
Suggests updating the Justice and Security Act 2013 to provide full scrutiny of intelligence agencies.
Minister reply
Acknowledges that there is a high level of scrutiny but stresses the need to balance this with operational effectiveness, ensuring agents are not hampered in their vital work.
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Question
Highlights failings in information sharing and asks for details on how a new faith security training scheme will equip religious institutions to identify potentially radicalised individuals.
Minister reply
Details measures such as the 'ACT Early' campaign, Shawcross report recommendations, and multi-agency efforts to ensure effective support and intervention where risks are identified.
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Question
Urges for a successful Prevent programme that focuses on individuals most at risk of becoming terrorists.
Minister reply
Agrees on the need for transparency, efficiency, and independent oversight in the Prevent programme to address all forms of extremism effectively.
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Question
Seeks reassurance that recommendations from Sir John’s report will be fully implemented without hesitation.
Minister reply
Commits to ensuring that lessons are learned and improvements made in operational responses and support for victims of terrorism.
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Question
Critiques the Government's handling of a legal issue affecting bereaved families, expressing disappointment at being misled.
Minister reply
Acknowledges sympathy with bereaved families and explains that there is no legal flexibility to change how deaths are registered due to coherence requirements of the General Register Office.
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Question
Welcomes the Government's approach to Martyn’s law but asks for more details on training and procedures for security staff in public spaces.
Minister reply
Details the scope of premises that will be covered under Martyn’s law, indicating a step towards better protection in public spaces.
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Question
After the horrific, tragic, and cowardly Manchester Arena bombing, survivors and victims’ families have shown immense strength and courage throughout the inquiry process. However, previous disaster victims had to wait years for Government action on recommendations from reports. Can the Home Secretary commit today that Manchester families will not suffer a similar delay?
Minister reply
We are working on it. There has already been significant change within agencies since 2017 in response to the event. We will consider Bishop James Jones’s report on Hillsborough families and the Daniel Morgan independent panel's recommendations fully.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State accept that parents looking for improvements rather than apologies to prevent such devastation? What further changes will stem from the finalisation of this report?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is correct. Before the report was published, MI5 and other partners conducted reviews since 2017 with external oversight; the Intelligence and Security Committee has also published a report. Hundreds of recommendations were implemented to improve counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing, response mechanisms, and expertise connections across public sector authorities.