The mother of one of the victims of the Manchester Arena attack will begin a 200-mile march from where her son was killed to Downing Street to demand stronger protections against terrorism.
Martyn’s Law, named after Martyn Hett, 29, who was one of 22 people killed the attack at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017, it would require venues and local authorities across the UK to have training requirements and plans to prevent terrorist attacks.
Figen Murray, Mr Hett’s mother, who campaigned for the introduction of the law, will be joined by family and friends, politicians, security industry experts and members of the public during this 16 day walk.
She will arrive at Downing Street on May 22, the seventh anniversary of her son’s death.
Ms Murray said her “life changed overnight” when her son was killed.
“Martyn’s death could have been avoided if basic safety measures had been put in place that night and that is why I am campaigning tirelessly to ensure no parent experiences the pain and loss I endures daily,” she said.
This morning she will be joined by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and former counter-terrorism police chief Nick Aldworth, as well as Mr Hett’s friends, at the AO Arena in central Manchester .
She will then begin the 186-mile walk to Downing Street, visiting memorials to victims of terrorist attacks along the way to pay her respects.
“I am walking from where my son died to 10 Downing Street to remind the Prime Minister of his commitment to introducing legislation that will improve safety and security in public places,” Ms Murray said.
“The campaign for Martyn’s Law has already been a long journey, I hope this march will be the final step. All I ask is that the Prime Minister keeps his promise.”
Learn more:
Injured survivors of Manchester Arena bombing sue MI5
Could MI5 have prevented the Manchester attack?
Security breaches at Manchester Arena
Ms Murray wrote to Rishi Sunak asking him to meet her when she arrived at Downing Street.
She also asked him to set a date for when Martyn’s Law, which was a commitment in the 2019 Conservative agenda but has not yet moved beyond the draft stage, will be brought before the House of Commons.
Sky news