New hope for Martyn's Law?

Back in May, dozens of campaigners completed the last leg of the Manchester to London walk for Martyn’s Law. Upon completion, Figen Murray met with then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who committed to Martyn’s Law. Later that day, he called the general election.

Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, who was killed at the attack, and after whom the law is named, and others began the walk at Manchester Arena on 7 May. Two weeks later, scores of people joined the campaigners for the final leg from Marble Arch to Downing Street in the rain.

Upon arrival at Downing Street, Murray and her family met with then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. At the time, Sunak promised her he would introduce the law to parliament before the summer recess. Within hours, Sunak had called the general election, leading many to question his sincerity and integrity.

Speaking to the BBC, Murray said: “I was exhausted after walking 200 miles from Manchester to London, I was upset by the anniversary and then I felt misled by the Prime Minister.

“Martyn’s Law was a commitment for the last Parliament, not the next one, and I feel let down by all the promises that were made and broken.

“National security is too important to be so low a priority. I hope whoever wins the next election will act immediately to make this right.”

Labour

On the same day as the meeting with Sunak, Murray also met with then leader of the opposition, now prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who also outlined a commitment to the legislation.

Prior to the general election, Starmer wrote to Murray promising to introduce Martyn’s Law at the earliest possible opportunity. In the letter, he said: “Having met with you and many of the other survivors of terror attacks, I know how personal and deeply felt this campaign is.

“The bravery and dedication you have shown in campaigning for changes to the law, so that others do not have to go through what you have, is incredible.

“Labour have been consistent in supporting the government in bringing forward Martyn’s Law. So it is shameful that, five years on from the legislation first being proposed, it has still not been brought forward."

He continued: “I promised you when we met that I would make good on my commitment that a Labour Government will introduce Martyn’s Law at the earliest possible opportunity. I meant that and I will honour that promise.

“This is a manifesto commitment and a personal pledge from me.”

Since then, Labour have won a general election, Starmer is prime minister and Sunak is leader of the opposition.

General election

Martyn’s Law was mentioned in the King’s Speech as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill and it will require venues to put measures in place to deal with the threat of terrorism. The King said the legislation would be introduced to improve the safety and security of public venues to ‘keep the British public safe from terrorism’.

National and international security

Elsewhere in national and international security, police and politicians have a wide range of issues to tackle, with just the first few weeks of the new government seeing violent murders, riots across the country, fears of war spreading the Middle East; and calls to do more to tackle male violence and violence against women and girls.