Martyn's Law anti-terror measures get Royal Assent
Legislation requiring public venues to improve security to counter the threat of terror attacks has officially become law after it was given Royal Assent following a campaign by a "courageous" mother.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn's Law, was named after Martyn Hett. who was one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing attack.
His mother, Figen Murray, who campaigned for six years for the new security measures, said she was "determined to ensure nobody endures what my family has experienced".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Martyn's Law would ensure "everyone can enjoy public events more safely".
Ms Murray told BBC North West Tonight that she was "absolutely over the moon" and the law being passed was "absolutely massive".
She said the day her son was killed "always feels like yesterday", adding: "I remember everything so vividly, of course, and it will stay with me forever.
"But having the campaign come to this kind of end is really massive."
She went on: "We lost our child and I can't bring Martyn back, but to know that people's lives will be saved is a big thing."
Starmer said: "I would like to think I had the wherewithal to do what Figen has done.
"I'm not sure in my heart of hearts I would be able to pick myself up as she has done after the most awful of circumstances, to then campaign and to bring that change on behalf of other people, to make sure they never go through what she has been through and what her family has been through. I find that incredible."
Who was Martyn Hett and what is Martyn's Law?
Earlier, Starmer said the legislation would "ensure venues across the country have clear, practical measures in place to protect people".
He paid tribute to Ms Murray's "courage and determination in the face of such unimaginable loss" and said her campaigning would ensure "her son's legacy will live on forever".
Starmer met Ms Murray in Downing Street to mark the bill's entry on to the statute book.
The law sets out requirements in a tiered manner based on the size of a public venue, with "necessary but proportionate" security measures.
Venues with a capacity of more than 800 people must take steps to protect against the threat of terrorism, like bag-search policies and CCTV.
Smaller public premises where capacity is 200 or fewer are required to have plans in place in the event of an attack.
Ms Murry said it was "vital" that the government and the Security Industry Authority (SIA) helped public venues meet the requirements of Martyn's Law.
The SIA, will take on the function of regulator for the law, and will be there to offer support to businesses but also inspect and enforce the new rules.
A 24-month implementation period will be observed to allow the industry to prepare, with the government set to issue guidance later.
Mike Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said businesses had "long supported measures that enhance security while remaining practical for businesses to implement".
A spokesman for the AO Manchester Arena said it was a "long-time supporter" of Martyn's Law and had "provided support" throughout the development of the legislation.
"Operating one of the largest and busiest arenas in the UK and Europe, we are supportive of this legislation to honour the memory of those affected and to set crucial industry standards to enhance public safety at venues nationwide," he said.
"As a venue, we are already compliant with the draft Protect Duty Bill and continue to monitor any change and adapt to any future developments."
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Who was Martyn Hett and what is Martyn's Law?
Arena victim's mum's 200-mile walk to demand new law
Attack victim was 'inspirational son'
Corrie bench tribute to attack victims
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Joplin grieves with family of slain diplomats
Members of a family with Joplin ties grieving the fatal shootings of 26-year-old Sarah Milgrim and her boyfriend, Yaron Lischinsky, 30, say there is no healing to be accomplished for victims of terrorism while lives are taken because of hate. Robert Milgrim, formerly of Joplin, said he and his family are still processing the deaths May 21 of his daughter and Lischinsky as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. The two had attended a discussion involving young professionals on ways to get humanitarian aid safely to Gazans. The pair worked for the Israeli Embassy and planned to have careers in diplomacy. When they emerged from the museum, they were shot by a man identified as a far-left activist who shouted 'Free Palestine' as he was taken into custody at the scene. The Milgrim family has been left in 'total devastation and loss. We were so close' to Sarah, her father said. She was a young woman who was devoted to faith, family and helping those in the Middle East toward stability and peace. 'We have to get rid of this hate that's in the world,' Robert Milgrim told the Globe by telephone on Thursday. 'Killing somebody does not accomplish anything.' Palestinians are starving and without other necessities in the wake of hostilities that started Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas, an Arab/Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, attacked Israel. 'The reason Israel is trying to control aid (sent for Gaza) is that a large portion was hijacked by Hamas and they sell it on the black market,' Robert Milgrim said. His wife, Nancy Milgrim, said in an interview of the family aired Wednesday on CBS that she didn't know anything about the support expressed for the shooter from pro-Palestinians in the U.S. 'I don't know anything about that, but Sarah wasn't against the Palestinians; she wasn't against the people in Gaza. She was in all her heart working towards finding a way for everyone to live together peacefully,' the mother said. Sarah Milgrim's brother, Jacob Milgrim, said 'There's nothing more important in Judaism than life and the sanctity of life, and to what end is this fighting and sacrifice? What does it accomplish taking my sister from me? It's not going to accomplish anything.' Roger Gladden of Joplin, founder of Christians for World Peace, visits the Middle East as part of his organization's mission to provide charitable support for the region. 'Christians have a great relationship with both Israel and Arabs,' Gladden said, although people need to be respectful of the political and religious differences. The Holy Land is a significant holy site for a number of religions. There is a small population of Arabs who are anti-Israel. The city of Bethlehem is Joplin's sister city. Gladden said a former longtime mayor of Bethlehem was Christian, but the population there has changed and the city is now overseen by Muslims. 'The answers (to violence) in the region are complex. It's such a long-standing, deep cultural situation and, frankly it's very difficult to eliminate that,' Gladden said. 'But we pray that it will become peaceful. The old city of Jerusalem is divided into four sectors and we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.' Paul Teverow, a retired Missouri Southern State University history professor who is a member of United Hebrew Congregation of Joplin, said the murders were devastating. 'First of all when you read about something like what happened in Washington, D.C., to Sarah Milgrim and her partner, how can you not be both devastated and appalled? and then, when I saw the name Milgrim I realized that might be someone I know or in my circle of associates. That was really devastating to me.' Robert Milgrim grew up in Joplin, one of three sons of Ben Milgrim, a well-known businessman who operated Milgrim's Pawn Shop on Main Street. Milgrim's was a popular store, often drawing tourists and people from other areas to shop and find treasures. Ben Milgrim died in 2010 at the age of 100. He was a member of the United Hebrew Congregation, B'nai B'rith, Joplin Elks Lodge #501 for over 65 years, Joplin Masonic Lodge, a 32nd-degree Mason and was a life member of the National Rifle Association and the Joplin Pistol Club. Teverow said of the Hebrew Congregation, 'We have received overwhelming support from the community over the years and never had any threats or messages of hostility here.' There have been Jewish families in Joplin for about 150 years and the Hebrew synagogue has been here more than a century, Teverow said. Robert Milgrim, known as Bob, grew up in Joplin and graduated in 1970 from Memorial High School. After graduating college and earning his law degree, he moved to the Kansas City area where he worked in the ERISA division of the U.S. Department of Labor. ERISA regulates retirement and health insurance funds. He said he and his family have received much support from his Joplin classmates and friends as well as people across the country. 'We have gotten many, many cards. The mailman has brought bundles' nearly every day since the tragedy. 'Many are from people I went to high school with and people I was very close with in Joplin. And many are from people we don't know. We are getting flowers and meals from people we don't know too.' 'A lot of people are mourning' with the family, he said. 'The embassy has received thousands of messages, cards and emails, and they are compiling something,' to celebrate the lives of the two lost to a hate crime.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kharkiv hit with attacks as Ukraine, Russia dispute prisoner swap
The eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv was hit by a Russian glide bomb attack on Saturday, after suffering heavy Russian airstrikes earlier in the day. A 30-year-old woman was killed, Kharkiv's military governor, Oleh Syniehubov, wrote on Telegram. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said more than 40 people were injured in the glide bomb attack. "This makes no military sense. It is pure terrorism," he wrote on Telegram. Russia dropped four glide bombs on the city centre, damaging two buildings belonging to a children's railway, train carriages and two houses, Syniehubov said. He said the area is a popular place for families to spend their free time at the weekend. On Saturday morning, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported three deaths in Russian airstrikes on the city, which also hit residential buildings. He said the strikes injured 21 people, including a baby and a 14-year-old girl. According to Ukrainian sources, 53 drones, four glide bombs and a missile struck various locations in the earlier attack. Terekhov said the attack was the most severe that the city had experienced since the war began more than three years ago. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, is located close to the Russian border and has repeatedly been the target of Russian attacks. A disputed exchange Meanwhile Russia and Ukraine are wrangling over the implementation of the prisoner exchange and return of 6,000 dead soldiers agreed on Monday in Istanbul. Moscow's chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said on Telegram on Saturday that the Russian side was waiting at the handover point with 1,212 frozen bodies in refrigerators ready to begin the initiative, but the Ukrainian envoys were absent. In addition, he said a list of 640 detainees had been handed over to Ukraine for the latest planned prisoner exchange. The other remains were also said to be on their way. The Defence Ministry released a video showing white bags, allegedly containing the bodies, being transported in lorries. Medinsky accused Ukraine of not honouring the agreement and delaying the prisoner swap. The Ukrainian coordination staff responded that the timing of the handover had not been agreed upon but was unilaterally set by the Russians. In a statement on Telegram, the staff referred to "dirty games" and called on the Russian side to return to constructive work. The implementation of the agreements could take place "in the coming days," the staff in Kiev said. At the same time, Ukraine rejected Russian accusations that the exchange of prisoners and the handover of the bodies were being delayed. Ukraine criticizes flawed prisoner lists The coordination staff said it had handed over its lists for the prisoner exchange to the Russian side, in line with the agreement. According to Russian reports, the exchange is to involve 1,200 prisoners on each side. However, the staff in Kiev complained that Moscow had provided lists that did not comply with the Istanbul agreement. It is now Russia's turn, it said. The prisoner exchange was expected to take place this Saturday and Sunday. Lorries full of bodies In a video released by the Russian Defence Ministry, Lieutenant General Alexander Sorin, a member of Moscow's negotiating team, stated that the Ukrainian side had not confirmed the prisoner exchange on Saturday and had postponed it indefinitely. Russia is ready to implement all agreements reached in Istanbul, the general emphasized. "We are prepared to hand over all the bodies and also carry out the exchange of prisoners of war according to the agreed formula," Sorin said. The talks in Istanbul were the second direct negotiations since 2022, following a first round in May, which led to the largest prisoner exchange to date in the same month. A total of 1,000 soldiers and civilians were freed on each side.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dawn French apologises for ‘Oct 7 attacks' video
Dawn French has apologised 'unreservedly' after she posted a 'one-sided' video in which she appeared to dismiss the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7 2023. The 67-year-old comedian and actress was accused of belittling the attacks in a clip she posted on social media in which she said the murder of 1,200 people was 'a bad thing'. In the video, posted on X on May 5, she mimicked apparent defences of Israel's huge military campaign in Gaza and was accused of appearing to belittle the Hamas-led murders of 1,200 people and adopting a 'mocking' tone. On Saturday, she removed that video and issued an apology, adding that she was 'sorry' her 'disgust at Hamas didn't figure'. The message, also on X, said: 'Ok, it's important to address this. I posted a video in the style I've been using for social media in an effort to convey an important point. I clumsily used a mocking tone. 'My intention was NEVER to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened on Oct 7 2023 and what continues to unfold from that brutal, unthinkable, unforgivable, savage attack.' She said her 'heart broke' for the innocent people 'killed, tortured, r@aped [sic] and kidnapped', adding that it was 'appalling' that hostages were still being held. She insisted that her 'intention was to mock and point the finger of shame at the behaviour of the cruel leaders on ALL sides of this attricious [sic] war, who have continued to behave like the worst, dangerous, sickening bullies and seem to relish the tyrannical and childish one-upmanship of violence.' She added she was 'feeling increasingly helpless and hopeless as we witness the carnage and destruction worsen', adding that she was 'haunted … day and night ' by 'images of starving children.' The Vicar of Dibley actress wrote: 'History has taught us never to stand by and allow this kind of inhumane violence to be wrought on anyone, especially innocent children. 'I have felt my silence is complicit or even somehow sanctioning. So in my small way, I wanted to voice my desire to say NO – to both sides – to any further violence. 'I hope you will understand my intention was not to offend, but clearly I have. For which I am sorry and I have removed the video.' She was accused of adopting a baby-like face in the original 40-second video, in which she filmed herself saying: 'Complicated, no, but nuanced. But [the] bottom line is no.' She went on, imitating someone defending Israel's actions in Gaza, then replying to them: ''Yeah, but you know they did a bad thing to us...' Yeah, but no. 'But we want that land and there's a lot of history…' No. 'These people are not even people, are they really?' No.' The video was viewed more than half a million times in the 24 hours after it was posted. Credit: X/@Dawn_French Tracy-Ann Oberman, an actress who has appeared in numerous West End shows, accused the comedian of adopting a 'mocking' tone. Lee Kern, a comedy writer and self-described 'champion of Jewish rights', wrote: 'What you sneeringly mock as a 'bad thing' included the grieving children I met in hospital whose friends and family had been murdered, kidnapped and raped and who themselves were coming to terms with their own life-altering injuries. 'It also includes the 1,200 people murdered and tortured on October 7… You proactively broadcast – with misplaced pride – a wicked glee in your mockery and dismissal of Jewish suffering, pain and death.' Israel began its ground offensive in Gaza in response to Hamas's terrorist attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. There are 56 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Israel was criticised by Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, for its recent 'appalling' military action. He described the conduct of Benjamin Netanyahu's government as 'intolerable' following claims that more than 50,000 people, including many women and children, had been killed by Israeli forces. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
