The Chair of the Manchester Arena Inquiry has now “fulfilled the terms of reference for the Inquiry” but not before he addressed some outstanding matters and general observations.

The Inquiry heard evidence about the attack which happened on 22 May 2017 and killed 22 people while injuring hundreds more. It opened in September 2020 and had its final evidential hearing on 15 February 2022 – within those two years, 291 witnesses were called and 172,000 pages of documents were considered.

In an open letter to the media the Chairman, Sir John Saunders, raised concerns about the recommendations that he made in interim reports while the Inquiry was sitting.  He said: “It is important that those recommendations are implemented. In order to be assured that that is happening, I am convinced that there needs to be monitoring.”

The Inquiry held public hearings in June to see what progress had been made on implementing the recommendations the Chair had made prior, where it was revealed that “in relation to some recommendations a great deal of work had been done and, in relation to others the work was only getting started.”

Sir Saunders said: “It was apparent that work would not have started at all if we had not had a public hearing to see what was going on.” He added: “The evidence at that hearing made clear that the monitoring process needs to continue after the Inquiry has finished.”

“It is important that the families and the public generally receive a public assurance from a monitoring body that the recommendations are being, or have been, implemented. We have already seen that it is very easy for new priorities to push the implementation of recommendations from inquiries down the ‘to do’ list.”

The Home Secretary has since appointed a senior civil servant, Shaun Hipgrave, to continue that job of monitoring the recommendations. In response, the Chair said: “I am pleased to see that a real attempt is being made to deal with what has been an on-going problem which is making sure that recommendations from inquiries are implemented and not forgotten.

“What is missing and needs to be thought about is public accountability. It is important for the public and, in this case particularly the bereaved families, that reports on progress are made in a public forum.

“Whether that is to a select committee of Parliament as has been suggested or, in a report which is made public, there has to be public accountability.”

Sir Saunders urged the government to “think again” as he addressed “the important area” of ensuring that there is proper provision of medical care at large arenas. He claimed that his recommendations here do “not seem to have got any further forward.”  The Chair added: “I do not regard this as satisfactory and recommend that urgent action is taken to rectify a situation that we were told was causing loss of life.”

The Chair ended his letter with a promise, claiming that he is “determined” to see the work of the Inquiry continuing although it is coming to an end. He said: “While the Inquiry may be coming to an end I am determined, as I know many are, that its work will continue. Interest in and work on reducing the effect of the care gap continues with impressive initiatives and it is clear that that work will be of much wider application than coping with the effects of terrorist attacks.”

To read Sir Saunders’ full letter, please click here.