Bombing Victim’s Mother Feels Misled After Meeting with Prime Minister

Figen Murray, mother of Manchester Arena bombing victim Martyn Hett, expressed feeling somewhat deceived by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after a 200-mile walk to Downing Street to advocate for new anti-terrorism legislation known as Martyn’s Law. This proposed law, named in memory of her son who was one of the 22 people killed in the May 2017 attack, aims to mandate training and preparedness against terror threats for UK venues and local authorities.
During her meeting with Sunak, which occurred just hours before he announced the General Election, Murray was promised that Martyn’s Law would be introduced to Parliament before the summer recess. However, Sunak did not guarantee its passage before the next election. With only two more days of Commons business scheduled, there’s a rush to pass significant legislation.
Murray shared her feelings of being “a bit misled” rather than outright deceived, noting that Sunak seemed supportive of the legislation during their discussion, a sentiment he had expressed in a phone conversation 18 months prior. Despite feeling misled about the timing of the law’s introduction, Murray acknowledged the Prime Minister’s difficult position.
Her campaign for Martyn’s Law began following her son’s death and has included discussions with political leaders, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who pledged to pass the law if the government changes. Murray emphasized the urgency of enacting the law without waiting for a change in government, given the broad support from all parties and the public security implications.
The Prime Minister’s office responded to inquiries about the promise to Murray by highlighting Sunak’s tribute to her efforts and the victims of the Manchester Arena bombings, reiterating his intention to advance the legislation as soon as possible.