Manchester Arena public enquiry to be established

The Home Secretary has announced that a public inquiry will be established to investigate the deaths of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.

Priti Patel said that the the decision has been made after careful consideration of advice from Sir John Saunders, a retired High Court judge who was nominated by the Lord Chief Justice to lead the investigation and inquest into the deaths at Manchester Arena, that inquest proceedings should be adjourned and an inquiry established to ensure that all relevant evidence can be heard.

Patel said: “It is vital that those who survived or lost loved ones in the Manchester Arena attack get the answers that they need and that we learn the lessons, whatever they may be. This process is an important step for those affected as they look to move on from the attack and I know that they want answers as quickly as possible.

“I am determined to make this happen, while ensuring the proper processes are followed. Now that the coroner has decided that an inquest cannot properly investigate the deaths, I have agreed to establish an inquiry to consider all the information so that he can make appropriate recommendations.”