Key Recommendations from Manchester Arena Inquiry Remain Unimplemented
More than three years after the final report of the Manchester Arena bombing public inquiry was published, five key recommendations have yet to be fully accepted or implemented by the UK government. The recommendations concern securing the attendance of crucial witnesses at major statutory public inquiries and addressing what happens if they refuse or disappear.
Caroline Curry, mother of 19-year-old Liam Curry who was killed alongside his girlfriend Chloe Rutherford in the 2017 attack, described the delay as 'unbelievable and unacceptable', stating that recommendations are still 'sitting on someone's desk'.
Ismail Abedi's Case Highlights Gaps in Inquiry Powers
One of the unimplemented recommendations involves creating new powers under the Inquiries Act 2005 to prevent material witnesses from evading attendance. This directly relates to the case of Ismail Abedi, brother of bomber Salman Abedi, who left the UK despite being legally compelled to give evidence.
Ismail Abedi was stopped by police at Manchester Airport on August 28, 2021, and questioned under the Terrorism Act, but boarded a flight and left the country the next day. He was later found guilty in his absence of failing to comply with a legal requirement to attend the inquiry. A warrant for his arrest is believed to still be active.
Government Response and Ongoing Reforms
The Cabinet Office published a 'dashboard' in March 2025 providing an overview of the inquiry's 169 recommendations. Of these, 164 have been fully accepted, but five are classed as 'partially accepted' and 'in progress'. The Home Office has been told to consider addressing difficulties in extradition for offences under Section 35 of the Inquiries Act 2005, which makes it a criminal offence to obstruct a statutory public inquiry.
A Government spokesperson said: 'The Manchester Arena attack was a horrific tragedy, and our thoughts remain with the victims, their families and all those affected. While the Inquiry was independent, we remain committed to its recommendations and to ensuring their delivery.'
Families Demand Action
Caroline Curry expressed frustration: 'As we sit nine years from losing our children and over three years since the chairman closed down the Manchester Arena Inquiry, we find it unbelievable and unacceptable that still some of the recommendations from Sir John are sitting on someone's desk.'
She added: 'These recommendations must be implemented as soon as possible. To not do so is to once again let families down. And if they can't be implemented, then tell us why.'
The inquiry, chaired by Sir John Saunders, heard 194 days of oral evidence and produced three reports. The bombing after an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017 claimed 22 lives and left hundreds injured.
