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Arena victim's mum thanks PM as bill clears Commons

BBC Campaigner Figen Murray with long black hair and green eyes wearing a dog-tooth patterned jumper speaking on BBC Breakfast BBC
Figen Murray said she was "so pleased" Prime Minister Keir Starmer had kept his promise to introduce Martyn's Law

The mother of a victim of the Manchester Arena bombing has thanked the Prime Minister for giving new legislation, aimed at preventing terror attacks at events venues, "the weight it needs".

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn's Law, will compel all UK venues with a capacity of more than 200 people to have plans for an attack on their premises.

Figen Murray campaigned for the law after her 29-year-old son Martyn Hett was one of 22 people killed at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.

The bill, which passed its third reading without a division, will now face scrutiny in the House of Lords.

Handout Black and white image of the late Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the Manchester. He has black hair and stubble wearing a black top. Handout
Martyn Hett was one of the 22 people murdered at the end of an Ariana Grande concert

Security minister Dan Jarvis told the Commons at the bill's third reading: "After seven years, and as Figen has said, it's time to get this done."

"This cross-party commitment to improve the safety and security of venues in the wake of the Manchester Arena attack must be delivered without further delay," he said.

PA Media Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) with Figen Murray (centre) and her husband Stuart sitting in a room with cabinets containing booksPA Media
Figen Murray and her husband Stuart met Sir Keir Starmer before the election

Prime Minister Keir Starmer posted on X it was an "important next step" towards honouring his promise to introduce Martyn's Law.

Ms Murray replied thanking him for keeping his promise and also added she was "so pleased" he had kept his word.

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Martin Hibbert and his daughter Eve suffered life changing injuries in the blast.

He told BBC Radio Manchester the move was "great news".

"I'm really happy for Figen... she has campaigned tirelessly over the last five or six years.

"Anything that can improve public safety can only be a good thing," he added.

Under the draft legislation, all venues with a capacity of more than 200 people - including nightclubs, churches and concert halls - would be legally required to have plan to deal with an attack at their premises as well as training staff on "simple and low cost" procedures like identifying safe exit routes and locking doors and windows.

Venues with a capacity of more than 800 people will be subject to greater requirements, including measures like CCTV or security staff.

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