A law aimed at helping protect venues against terror attacks following the Manchester Arena suicide bombing has been laid before Parliament as the mother of the man who the Bill is named after said it is “one step closer to making public spaces safer”.
Martyn’s Law, otherwise known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, will require all venues with a capacity of more than 200 to take steps to ensure they have a plan in place in case of an attack on their premises.
The measures, introduced to Parliament as a response to the attack on the Ariane Grande concert in May 2017, would require UK venues and councils to have mandatory training and plans to prevent and protect against such attacks.
His mother, Figen Murray, has been campaigning for the Government to bring in the law and earlier this year walked 200 miles from Manchester to Downing Street to promote her cause, meeting with Sir Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper as well as former prime minister Rishi Sunak the day the election was called.
The now Prime Minister committed to getting it done as a priority and the Bill was included in the Labour Government’s King’s Speech.
Ms Murray has had an emergency hip replacement following the walk and has been recovering at her home.
She said: “I want to thank everyone who has played a part in getting the Bill to this stage, and especially the Prime Minister, who gave me his word that he would act quickly to introduce Martyn’s Law. He said he would act quickly and he has.
“Today means we are one step closer to making public spaces safer for everyone. It is also hugely important for my family that Martyn’s Law will be on the statute book ahead of the next anniversary of Martyn’s death.”
“I want to pay tribute to Figen Murray and her campaign team who have tirelessly worked to make this happen.
“This legislation will strengthen public safety, help protect staff and the public from terrorism and ensure we learn the lessons from the terrible Manchester Arena attack and the inquiry that followed.
“It is important we now take this forward through Parliament in Martyn’s memory and to help keep people safe.”
Nick Aldworth, former national counter-terrorism co-ordinator, said: “After five years of campaigning, today marks a significant step for Martyn’s Law, and I welcome the speed at which the new Government has acted to introduce the Bill to parliament.
“It is important that as the law comes into force we continue to listen to security experts and ensure the threshold is set to protect as many people and public venues as possible.”
Brendan Cox, co-founder of Survivors Against Terror, said: “Survivors of terror attacks aren’t looking for sympathy – they are looking for change that makes it less likely that others will endure what they have.
“Today is a major breakthrough following years of campaigning led by Martyn’s fearless mum Figen and backed by hundreds of other survivors of terror attacks.
“Almost eight years after the Manchester attack, it will finally close the security loopholes that put us all at risk.”
