Full Breakdown
Families Demand Accountability from MI5 in New Legislation
1/6/2026, 4:44:00 AM
Background on the Manchester Arena Attack
On May 22, 2017, a suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals and injuries to hundreds more. Following a public inquiry, MI5, the United Kingdom's domestic intelligence agency, was criticized for failing to provide an accurate account of the intelligence it held regarding the attacker. The inquiry concluded that MI5 had missed significant opportunities to prevent the attack and had subsequently misled investigators about its knowledge of the bomber.
Families' Call for Inclusion in New Law
In light of these findings, families of the victims have expressed their dissatisfaction with MI5's lack of accountability. They have written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, urging that the proposed Public Office (Accountability) Bill, also known as the "Hillsborough Law," applies fully to MI5, MI6, and GCHQ, the UK's intelligence agencies. The bill aims to enforce a legal duty of candour on public officials, requiring them to provide truthful accounts during investigations, particularly in cases of major disasters.
The letter, signed by the families of five victims, emphasizes their belief that MI5 failed not only to prevent the bombing but also to be truthful in the aftermath. They stated, "MI5 failed our loved ones and failed us... During the Manchester Arena inquiry, MI5 lied about the key intelligence it held about the suicide bomber before the attack." They are calling for a full duty of candour to be imposed on intelligence agencies, arguing that "every security and intelligence officer should be required to tell the truth."
Government's Position and Legislative Details
The government has acknowledged the need for feedback on the bill while balancing national security concerns. The Public Office (Accountability) Bill includes three main components: a general duty of candour for public officials, an ancillary duty for official investigations, and a reallocation of funding for legal representation during inquiries. Breaches of this duty could result in criminal sanctions.
However, Pete Weatherby KC, director of the Hillsborough Law Now campaign, has voiced concerns that the government has misled stakeholders regarding the application of the law to intelligence services. He remarked, "The government have tried to put forward measures relating to intelligence services which look better than they are," indicating a significant disconnect between the negotiations and the current draft of the bill.
Criticism of MI5's Conduct
Claire Booth, a survivor of the bombing and sister of victim Kelly Brewster, expressed her frustration with MI5's actions post-attack. She described the agency's conduct as "infuriating," stating, "They didn't stop it [the attack], but the fact that they've then not been truthful about what their involvements were... adds insult to injury." This sentiment reflects the broader discontent among the bereaved families regarding the perceived lack of accountability from MI5.
Verbatim Quotes
- "MI5 failed our loved ones and failed us. It did so by failing to prevent the Arena bombing." — Families of the victims
- "The government have tried to put forward measures relating to intelligence services which look better than they are." — Pete Weatherby KC
- "They didn't stop it [the attack], but the fact that they've then not been truthful about what their involvements were... adds insult to injury." — Claire Booth
The families continue to advocate for transparency and accountability from MI5, pressing the government to uphold its promises and ensure that intelligence agencies are held to the same standards as other public officials.
