Martyn Hett: Last News

Families of the 22 who died in the Manchester Arena bombing have reacted with anger and dismay after a second act of vandalism at a memorial for their lost loved ones.

Tributes were paid to the 'unique and special' lives lost in the Manchester Arena bombing as evidence at the public inquiry into the atrocity drew to a close.

The mother of one of the 22 people to die in the Manchester Arena terror attack has said ‘nothing has been learnt’ in dealing with extremism.

More than 200 city centre venues have taken part in counter-terror training as part of their commitment to 'Martyn's Law'.

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direct to your inboxThe mum of Manchester Arena bombing victim Martyn Hett has opened up on the pain of dealing with Mother's Day - four years after she lost her son in the tragedy.Figen Murray said although she has a memory box full of cards Martyn sent over the years, it is a 'struggle' to look at them.Martyn, from Stockport, was among the 22 lives lost when Salman Abedi detonated his suicide bomb in the foyer of the Arena in 2017.He was 29.Figen has since campaigned tirelessly for a new law to require venues to have better security measures and preparedness for terror attacks. A national consultation for the proposals is currently underway.

direct to your inboxA national consultation over proposed new counter-terrorism legislation was being launched today after a campaign in memory of Manchester Arena bomb victim Martyn Hett.Maryn's mother, Figen Murray, hailed the breakthrough as a 'major stride towards making our country safer' - and saving lives.

direct to your inboxPublic consultation on proposed new 'Martyn's Law' counter-terrorism legislation to protect the public will start in February, it's been confirmed. The development, which follows months of delay, has been welcomed by Figen Murray, the campaigning mother of Manchester Arena bombing victim Martyn Hett.

direct to your inboxA senior Manchester Arena boss has issued a public apology to the mother of one of the 22 victims of the 2017 bombing atrocity.Two policing experts, meanwhile, have outlined to the public inquiry into the attack a series of criticisms they have found relating to security in place on the night.John Sharkey met with Figen Murray, Martyn Hett's mother, on December 8, 2017, seven months after the bombing.At the meeting, arranged by the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Mrs Murray wanted answers to questions relating to security within the City Room at the time, the inquiry heard.Suicide bomber Salman Abedi hid there on a mezzanine level for almost an hour in a CCTV black spot before he detonated a device he was

hereMr Hipgrave, the former head of the Joint Security and Resilience Centre, said it was a 'ministerial intention' to introduce the new legislation, accompanied by a range of digital tools and capabilities.And he praised the 'Martyn's Law' campaign launched by Figen Murray and named after her son Martyn Hett, who died in the 2017 Arena attack - saying planning work had been done 'with the Martyn’s Law proposals in mind'."Figen has absolutely amplified the Martyn's Law point with ministers," he said.Under the 'Protect Duty' legislation, Mr Hipgrave said publicly accessible locations would be split into sectors including health, education, retail and leisure - faiths, zones and individual sites."It will ensure that there are no gaps where

'Martyn's Law', launched by Figen Murray, mother of victim Martyn Hett.Sir John had heard counter-terror measures were not 'traditionally' assessed in applications for public venue licences.

hereFigen said she missed his 'cackle of laughter' and the ability to 'make everyone feel he was their best friend'."I loved the fact he stood up for himself and who he believed he was," she added.Mr Murray told anecdotes about Martyn, describing how his relationship with his mother was 'really special'.He said Martyn could lose his house keys and once called from Nottingham at 2am with no money.He recalled 'drunken messages telling you he loved you'.Mr Murray said that when Martyn arrived in the house 'it was simply the Martyn show'.He would make a recording of his mother and post it on the internet, he said."Appearances on Come Dine with Me and Tattoo Fixers - and his status as a Coronation Street superfan and a Dierdre Barlow enthusiast

WATCH: Eilidh MacLeod - Arena Inquiry tribute video Hashem Abedi, his brother, is currently serving a 55-year minimum sentence after being convicted over the atrocity.During an emotional day in court, the lives of Martyn Hett, Eilidh MacLeod, John Atkinson and Sorrell Leczkowski were remembered.Families made videos set to music to pay tribute to their loved ones.

Martyn Hett, 29, and Eilidh MacLeod, 14, provided moving testimonies to the inquiry.

here"We hope everyone who sees it will enjoy our tribute to our amazing son," Mr Hett said.Clips of Martyn as a young boy were included - and his famous leg tattoo of Coronation Street character Deirdre Barlow was shown.Mr Hett said Martyn's life was 'vibrant and full of energy'.He said he was constantly dressing up and making up plays -  and had a passion and a love of acting.Mr Hett said Martyn told his family he was gay as a teenager - and the family simply told him they loved him unconditionally 'because he was Martyn'.After studying, he started to work as PR social media manager."He had the most wicked sense of humour," Mr Hett said."The one constant in all his social media videos was that everyone was having fun."Martyn lit up around

Hashem Abedi is currently starting a minimum 55 year prison term after being found guilty of 22 murders. It was the longest tariff ever handed down in a British courtroom, and prosecution lawyers later admitted Justice Jeremy Baker had 'considerably' exceeded their expectations.Abedi's crimes were undoubtedly of the most evil imaginable, targeting a pop concert mostly attended by children and young people.But for those present in the courtroom, Justice Baker may also have been swayed by the powerful testimony of relatives who stood up to give victim impact statements.

Hashem Abedi's sentencing today.Figen Murray's 29-year-old son, Martyn Hett, was among the 22 killed in the atrocity just over three years ago. Hasham Abedi, the younger brother of suicide bomber Salman Abedi, is due to be sentenced at The Old Bailey today (Wednesday) after being convicted of 22 counts of murder, one count of attempted murder encompassing the remaining injured and plotting to cause an explosion likely to endanger life.

Social media star James Kavanagh has penned an emotional tribute to a friend who died in the Manchester bombing, three years on from the tragedy.