Ismail Abedi’s immunity deal plea refused

An application by the elder brother of the Manchester Area bomber for immunity from prosecution in return for answering questions at the public inquiry into the terror attack has been turned down.

Ismail Abedi, the brother of bomber Salman Abedi and their younger brother Hashem, who was jailed for participating in the plot, wanted a promise from the attorney general that if he were to give evidence his answers would not ‘land him in the dock’.

An immunity application was made to Sir John Saunders, chair of the inquiry, who has ruled that granting Abedi immunity in return for his cooperation could be seen as ‘a considerable affront to justice’.

The ruling said: “If as a result of an undertaking from the attorney general the applicant was to disclose material to the inquiry which provided evidence to justify charges of murder or conspiracy to murder, then he could avoid trial for 22 murders and causing serious injury to many more. I look forward to the cooperation of the applicant to assist my inquiry.”

Hashem was jailed in 2020 for a minimum of 55 years before parole for his part in the bomb plot. Images from devices recovered at Ismail Abedi’s home during a police raid the day after the bombing indicated he was ‘sympathetic to the ideals of ISIS’. He was arrested and interviewed by detectives 25 times but not charged with any offence because of insufficient evidence. He has refused to answer the 40 questions put to him in writing by the inquiry or agree to appear in person as a witness, citing his legal privilege not to incriminate himself. Ismail Abedi denies any knowledge or involvement in the bomb plot.