Manchester Arena families urge the Chair of the Public Inquiry to rethink the approach to Security Services’ evidence

30 September 2020

Manchester Arena Inquiry

On 28 September 2020, Pete Weatherby QC, in an opening speech on behalf of 7 families bereaved by the Manchester Arena atrocity, expressed grave misgivings about the obsessive secrecy surrounding evidence involving the security services and whether the attack could have been prevented.

There has been widespread media coverage of the opening speech, which highlighted the families’ concerns that key sections of the Inquiry are set to take place behind closed doors and without adequate public scrutiny or family participation, and without their lawyers.

Pete Weatherby QC and Anna Morris of Garden Court North, and Harriet Johnson of Doughty Street Chambers represent the 7 families, instructed by Nicola Brook and Elkan Abrahamson of Broudie Jackson Canter and Terry Wilcox of Hudgell’s Solicitors, assisted by Christian Weaver and Mira Hammad of Garden Court North.

You can read more about the opening by following the links to media coverage below, and you can follow the speech on Youtube (at 1h 44m 30s).

Sky News

BBC News

The Times

The Telegraph

Channel 4 News

The Evening Standard

Chambers news

Chambers news

167 cross-party MPs and Lords sign letter calling for an undiluted Hillsborough Law

138 MPs and 29 Lords have signed a letter calling for the UK Government to deliver a full and undiluted ‘Hillsborough Law’.

Chambers news

Covid-19 Inquiry: Module 6 public hearings begin on adult social care sector

On 30 June 2025, public hearings will begin for Module 6 of the Covid-19 Inquiry, investigating the pandemic’s impact on adult social care.

Chambers news

Garden Court North’s protest rights team to host ‘Understanding Anti-Zionism’ webinar with Professor Avi Shlaim

On 7 July, Garden Court North's protest rights team will host an exclusive webinar on 'Understanding Anti-Zionism' alongside Professor Avi Shlaim.

Chambers news

Camille Warren’s inquest into the death of James Stow adjourned

The inquest into the death of James Stow at South London Coroner’s Court has been adjourned and relisted to take place on 23 February 2026.

Sign up to our mailing list

Our mailing list is dedicated to professionals with an interest in our work.

Sign up