Figen Murray Leads Martyn’s Law Walk From Manchester Arena to Downing Street

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• Figen Murray Leads Martyn’s Law Walk From Manchester Arena to Downing Street

07 May 2024

The mother of Martyn Hett is leading a 186-mile walk from Manchester Arena to Downing Street to campaign for Martyn’s Law to be introduced to parliament.

Martyn’s Law, also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, is the result of an inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, where 22 people were killed, including 29-year-old Martyn Hett. The bill proposes stricter safety measures for venues to mitigate the risk to the public from a terror attack. Those proposed measures include mandatory terrorism protection training, risk assessment and mitigation, and maintaining security plans. The requirements will be tiered according to the capacity of the venue: sites with a capacity between 100-799 people will be subject to standard tier requirements, and those with a capacity of 800+ will be placed in the enhanced tier. 

Martyn's mother Figen Murray OBE has written to the Prime Minister asking him to meet her when she arrives at Downing Street, and to name a date when the draft law will come to the House of Commons. Martyn’s Law has still not been introduced to parliament, despite reassurances from multiple Prime Ministers and Secretaries of State over the last five years.

"Martyn’s death could have been avoided if there were basic security measures in place that night and that is why I have been tirelessly campaigning to ensure no parent experiences the pain and loss that I endure daily."

–Figen Murray OBE

Martyn's Law Campaigner and Mother of Martyn Hett 

22 May – Seven Years on From the Manchester Arena Terror Attack

Figen will be joined by family and friends, as well as politicians, security industry professionals and members of the public. The 16-day walk, commencing on 7 May, means the group will arrive at 10 Downing Street on 22 May, the seventh anniversary of the Manchester Arena terror attack. She will begin the walk on the spot where Martyn was killed and will deliver a statement alongside Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, and the former counter-terror Chief Superintendent, Nick Aldworth, as well as contributions from Martyn’s friends Russell Hayward and Mikey Keating.

During the walk, Figen will visit the sites of terror attacks including The Glad of Light in Manchester, the 7/7 Memorial in London and Westminster Bridge. 

Figen said: “My life changed overnight when my son, Martyn, was killed in the Manchester Arena terror attack. Martyn’s death could have been avoided if there were basic security measures in place that night and that is why I have been tirelessly campaigning to ensure no parent experiences the pain and loss that I endure daily. 

“I am walking from the spot where my son died to 10 Downing Street to remind the Prime Minister of his commitment to introduce legislation that will improve security and protections at public venues.

“The campaign for Martyns Law has already been a long journey, I hope this walk is the final leg. All I am asking is for the PM to keep his promise”

Former counter-terror Chief Superintendent Nick Aldworth, added: “As a former senior police officer, I’m not a natural campaigner and I never thought I’d be joining a protest march from Manchester to London. But if you knew as much about the terror threat as I do, you’d also do whatever it takes to get Martyn’s Law over the line.”

Picture: a photograph of No 10 Downing Street. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 07 May 2024

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