Inquiry transparency vital – Saffie’s parents
THE parents of the youngest person killed in the Manchester Arena terror attack have called for transparency as the public inquiry into the bombing began on Monday.
Eight-year-old Saffie Roussos from Tarleton was one of 22 victims killed by suicide bomber Salman Abedi at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.
The public inquiry, which will investigate events before, during and after the attack, is being held in a specially converted room in the Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court building.
Some parts of the inquiry will take place in private due to national security reasons.
Abedi was known to the security services, and an anonymous senior MI5 officer is expected to give evidence to the inquiry later this year.
Saffie’s parents Andrew and Lisa Roussos have expressed concern about transparency at the inquiry, calling for answers about how the aftermath of the attack was handled.
Mr Roussos told the BBC: “All I hear is lessons learned, but lessons haven’t been learned, and lessons will never be learned, unless we get that transparency and honesty from the people involved to get the answers that we need.”
Mr Roussos suggested that a barrister from each of the six firms representing the bereaved families be allowed to remain in the hearing.
Mrs Roussos added: “Obviously you’re having to put your full trust in the (inquiry) chairman.
“But this inquiry is not about trust, it should be about transparency, and I feel that we won’t get that without having a representative in the room.”
Mrs Roussos was in the arena with her daughter during the attack and was temporarily paralysed due to her injuries.
She told the broadcaster: “The worst thing for me was, is, if Saffie could have been saved.
“To think that, not just Saffie, the other people. How could they leave injured people in the arena for hours? It’s just madness.
“I remember lying there thinking help will be here soon, and in the end it felt like I was lying there for hours.”
Saffie and Georgina Callander, both from Tarleton, were among those killed in the blast.
The first day of the inquiry heare that a man who tried to raise the alarm about suicide bomber Salman Abedi was “fobbed off ”, and police were alerted to the lone jihadist carrying a large rucksack apparently praying outside the Manchester Arena, the first day of the public inquiry into the terror attack heard.
Loved ones of the 22 murdered in the attack wiped away tears as a minute’s silence was held, and later shook their heads as it was disclosed members of the bomber’s family are not co-operating with the inquiry into the terror outrage on May 22, 2017.
A minute’s silence was held after the names of the dead were read out as the inquiry, expected to last into next spring, began in Manchester, with about 12 family members inside the hearing room and more watching a live broadcast at a nearby venue.
They were told of “missed opportunities” in the hours before Abedi, surrounded by a throng of elated youngsters leaving an Ariana Grande show, exploded his shrapnel-packed rucksack bomb at 10.31pm, sending thousands of nuts and bolts shredding everything in their path.
A member of the public had challenged a man, matching Salman Abedi’s description and carrying a large rucksack, as he looked “out of place”, the inquiry was told.
The man, identified only as witness A, asked the suspect, “What are you doing?” but was told by the suspect, thought to be Abedi, he was waiting for somebody.
Witness A then spoke to Mohammed Agha, employed by venue security firm Showsec, but said he was “fobbed off”, the public inquiry heard.
Mr A spoke to Mr Agha at 10.14pm, some 17 minutes before the detonation.
Mr Agha then spoke to a colleague, Kyle Lawler, about the matter, eight minutes before the bomb went off, about what they should do.
Mr Lawler is then said to have tried to radio his security control, but could not get through.
He then saw the man get up and start walking towards the arena entrance, as youngsters began streaming out to meet waiting parents.
Mr Lawler’s statement continued: “I just froze and did not get anything out on the radio. I knew at that point it was too late.”
Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, said experts had been asked to look into the security at the arena that night.
He said that the experts concluded: “If the presence of a potential suicide bomber had been reported, it is very likely that mitigating actions would have been taken that could have reduced the impact of the attack.”
A second opportunity arose when another witness, Julie Merchant, approached British Transport Police (BTP) officer Jessica Bullough, about 32 minutes before the deadly bombing, to point out Salman Abedi.
The second day of the inquiry heard Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were not aware “at an organisational level” about the Ariana Grande concert and had not made plans or provision for the event, the public inquiry into the bombing heard.
Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, continued his opening statement.
He said British Transport Police had “primacy” in policing the area because of the proximity of Victoria Station and the inquiry must consider whether that affected preparedness for any terror attack.
He added: “GMP did not know at an organisational level of the Ariana Grande concert and had not made any provision or plan for the concert.
“On the face of it that may seem surprising.”
The inquiry continues.