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Government said to be 'on board' with 'Martyn's Law'

A campaign, launched after the Manchester Arena terrorist attack, to increase and legally standardise security and counter-terror policies at public venues has taken a step forward.

Named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims, the campaign is seeking to compel public venues and spaces to undergo counter-terror training and implement specific security policies. It is led by Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, who wants new laws to be introduced to further protect the public.

Security Minister Brandon Lewis, who met Figen Murray, is now said to 'definitely on board' with the principles of Martyn's Law and 'pledged to take it further'.

Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered Labour MP Jo Cox, and retired chief superintendent Nick Aldworth, who was the country's national co-ordinator for counter-terrorism, were also at the meeting.

Murray told Manchester Evening News: "I am very grateful that we were given the opportunity to meet with the Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP, who is definitely on board with Martyn's Law. He has pledged to take it forward and further conversations will soon be taking place to discuss the best way forward so that this gets onto the statute book and protects people.

"Although the meeting felt very supportive of Martyn's Law, we will keep up the pressure. I said in the meeting that I will not let this go as it is too important, and I don’t want other people to be in my situation. We will judge him and judge the government and that commitment against what is delivered."

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