Bombing inquiry urged to let families see MI5 witness

FAMILIES of the Manchester Arena bombing victims should be allowed to see a key MI5 witness give evidence to an inquiry into the attack, a court heard.

Witness J, an anonymous deputy director general of MI5, will give be questioned on the detailed knowledge the security services had of the suicide bomber Salman Abedi.

The intelligence agency is applying for Witness J to give evidence with only Sir John Saunders, the inquiry chairman, and his legal team present.

But lawyers representing the relatives of the attack’s 22 victims urged that Witness J should not “remain a mystery in the shadows” of the inquiry, and that the families should be able to see him as he gives evidence.

Four QCS instructed by the families said such transparency was “absolutely crucial to them understanding what happened to their loved ones”. “The rule of law requires scrutiny rather than trust,” Pete Weatherby QC said. “We say that open justice requires MI5 to put forward a witness that can be put before the families and the community without anonymity.”

MI5 and the Government argued that Witness J must be given anonymity for his own safety and in the interest of national security. They also expressed concern that the families and their lawyers could accidentally disclose personal details if they were given the opportunity to see Witness J in person.

Lawyers refuted such claims, saying it was a “bizarre” suggestion that “experienced legal counsel” would do anything to jeopardise national security.

Yesterday, the families’ lawyers also disputed MI5’S request to receive questions six weeks in advance. Mr Weatherby QC warned i t would l ead to “sanitised answers made by committee and probably checked by lawyers”.

Sir John will hand down his decision on Witness J’s anonymity at a later date.

The inquiry continues.