The Manchester Arena attack is still on the news in Britain as many media and press outlets have been following closely the details of the incident, especially after Hashem Abedi, brother of the attacker, was extradited to the UK from Libya.
The Independent said a public inquiry into the Manchester attack could be delayed because police have failed to provide statements requested seven months ago.
“Relatives of the 22 victims killed in the 2017 bombing called the delay diabolical, while the retired judge leading the inquiry said it was simply not fair to the families”.
Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, told a hearing that witness statements relating to command and control issues were first requested from 12 key individuals at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in April.
Fiona Barton QC, representing GMP, made a public apology for the delay to around 30 relatives of the victims who were at Friday’s hearing.
The bomber’s younger brother, Hashem Abedi, will go on trial in January charged with22 counts of murder for allegedly assisting the plot, which he denies.
A further preliminary hearing for the public inquiry will be held on 28 January.
Salman Abedi killed 22 people and injured hundreds more by detonating a rucksack bomb at the end of an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May 2017.
Abedi is accused of making both successful and unsuccessful attempts to buy bomb-making chemicals. It is also alleged that Abedi assisted in buying a Nissan Micra to store device components, and made detonator tubes for use in the explosive.
Meanwhile Home Secretary Priti Patel has confirmed that a public inquiry into the attacks will take place as soon as possible.
She agreed a public inquiry should replace the inquest process, following last month’s ruling from Sir John Saunders, the coroner of the Manchester Arena inquest, certain highly sensitive intelligence would risk national security if it became public.
