Manchester Arena survivors refused role in inquiry

It has been revealed that the Manchester Arena bombing survivors have lost their bid to be represented at a public inquiry into the 2017 bombing.

A group of more than 50 took legal action in April to give them the same rights as the police, government and families of those who died, after the chairman of the inquiry, Sir John Saunders, denied survivors ‘core participant’ status in the hearing.

Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, said the hearing would focus on those who died in the attack and survivors would be able to engage with the process, without having legal representation of their own. However, the group's lawyer Brenda Campbell QC argued the survivors ‘have not been treated with importance’.

Due to begin in September, the inquiry will examine the background to the attack and emergency responses.

A total of 600 adults and 340 children were injured in the blast after an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May 2017. Twenty-two people were killed.