How Vodafone hotline failed

FAMILIES were left in the dark after the bombing as technical issues prevented a helpline being set up.

Vodafone is contracted by the Home Office to provide a national 0800 number for anyone concerned about relatives or friends after a disaster or terror attack.

But server problems meant a dedicated line could not be set up, and all calls initially had to be funnelled through Greater Manchester Police’s emergency 999 or 101 lines. Vodafone said the failure was ‘clearly unacceptable’.