At Broudie Jackson Canter our Liverpool solicitors offer practical legal advice to individuals and families throughout the whole of the UK. Our specialist inquiry solicitors are dedicated to advocating for the truth and holding public bodies accountable for their actions or inaction. Our involvement in the Manchester Bombing Inquiry is a testament to these principles. 

The Manchester Arena Bombing was a profoundly tragic terrorist attack that occurred on 22nd May 2017. A suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device in the foyer of the Manchester Arena at the end of an Ariana Grande concert, resulting in the deaths of 22 people and over 1,000 more injured. The bombing was the deadliest act of terrorism in the UK since the 2005 London bombings. 

The public Inquiry was established in 2019 to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and the response of the emergency services. Chaired by Sir John Saunders, the public Inquiry identified numerous, previously unknown, failures by several state agencies and public bodies in respect of failing to prevent the attack in the first place and in how it responded to the attack once it happened.  The revelations led to significant changes in security practices, reforms in how emergency services should respond, how dangerous chemicals should be controlled and massive improvements in training in basic first aid. 

Nicola Brook, Associate Director & Solicitor at Broudie Jackson Canter, led our dedicated team of, lawyers, who played a crucial role throughout the Inquiry. We provided legal representation for five bereaved families and victims, ensuring their voices were heard and their concerns addressed. Our efforts were instrumental in bringing critical findings to light, advocating for accountability, and pushing for systemic changes to prevent such devastating tragedies in the future.

Find out more about our involvement in the Manchester Bombing Inquiry below.

Manchester Arena Inquiry

The inquiry, initiated in September 2020, aimed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic attack. 

Our role in the inquiry involved:

• Providing Legal Representation: We offered comprehensive legal support to the families, ensuring they had a strong voice throughout proceedings.
• Advocating for Accountability: We worked tirelessly to hold relevant parties accountable for their actions and inactions.
• Seeking Systemic Change: Our goal was not only to seek justice for the victims but also to drive systemic changes that could prevent future tragedies.
• Ensuring Transparency: We maintained open communication with the families, keeping them informed at every stage of the inquiry to ensure transparency and trust.
• Collaborating with Experts: We worked alongside medical, military and emergency response experts to thoroughly examine the events leading up to and following the attack, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the failures and areas for improvement.
• Promoting Public Awareness: By engaging with the media and public forums, we aimed to raise awareness about the findings of the inquiry and the importance of implementing recommended changes to enhance public safety.

Through these efforts, we strived to honour the memory of those who tragically lost their lives in the Manchester Arena Bombing. As a firm, we are committed to contributing to a safer, more secure society for all. No one should go to a pop concert event and not return home. 

Our dedication to truth, justice and accountability remains unwavering as we continue to advocate for the necessary changes to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.

The Manchester Arena Inquiry Reports

The inquiry led to three reports being published, each uncovering critical insights and recommendations on what should have been done differently.

• The first report: released in 2021, provided a devastating narrative of failures and missed opportunities.
• The second report: published in 2022, revealed that a better emergency response may have saved lives.
• The third and final report: was published on 2nd March 2023, found that MI5 missed crucial intelligence and highlighted significant communication breakdowns. The attacker's family's role in his radicalisation was also noted, along with the missed opportunity for referral to the Prevent programme.

As a result of the Inquiry, numerous recommendations were made to enhance public safety at large venues. These included improved training for security staff, better communication protocols, and the implementation of more rigorous security screening processes.

Timeline

• May 22, 2017: The bombing occurred at the Manchester Arena, resulting in 22 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
• August 2018 Sir John Saunders was appointed as a Coroner to undertake the coronial investigations into the deaths that occurred and hold the inquests.
• September 2019, following a Ruling to uphold claims of Public Interest Immunity (relating to matters of National Security) the Inquest was converted into Public Inquiry
• September 7, 2020: The inquiry officially began, chaired by Sir John Saunders.
• November 17, 2020: The inquiry heard evidence about the security arrangements at the arena.
• February 2021: Testimonies from survivors and families of victims were presented.
• June 17, 2021: The first volume of the inquiry report was published, focusing on security at the arena
• November 3, 2022: The second volume of the report, addressing the emergency response, was released
• March 2, 2023: The final volume of the report, examining the radicalisation of the bomber, the knowledge of the security services and preventability of the attack, was published

How can Broudie Jackson Canter help?

At Broudie Jackson Canter, we provide comprehensive legal support for public inquiries and major inquests. Our dedicated team, led by Elkan Abrahamson and Nicola Brook, has extensive experience in representing the interests of bereaved families and victims in these complex and sensitive proceedings.

For more information on our expertise in public inquiries and major inquests, or to discuss how we can assist you, please make an enquiry, give us a call, or request a callback. You can find more information on our public inquiries page here.