The father of Manchester Arena bombing victim Martyn Hett has said his son and all those killed and injured in the attack were failed 'on every level'.

His emotional statement came following the damning findings of Volume 1 of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, published last Thursday.

Twenty-two people died and hundreds were injured when Salman Abedi detonated a bomb at the Ariana Grande concert at the Arena on May 22, 2017.

In the first of three reports into the atrocity, Inquiry Chair, Sir John Saunders, levelled criticism at the British Transport Police (BTP), the arena operators SMG, and contracted security providers, Showsec.

An emotional Paul Hett said the organisations involved had failed in their duty of care to protect his son and all of the victims and the attack should have been prevented.

Appearing on national news following the release of the first volume of the inquiry, Mr Hett stated: “This inquiry has rightly found that we were failed by them on every level.

“This atrocity should and could have been prevented, and 22 people would not have lost their lives.”

Martyn had grown up living between Tameside and Heaton Moor and attended Oakfield Primary School in Hyde. He was just 29 when he was killed.

Sir John called for an overhaul of the law regarding security at large scale venues - which in Greater Manchester will be known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ in tribute to him and all of the victims.

Following the publication of the first volume, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, stated: “This will be an extremely difficult day for the families who lost loved-ones and those injured on the night of 22 May, 2017, and they are uppermost in our thoughts. We will continue to support them in any way we can to get all of the answers they need, however difficult that is.

“All of the organisations involved on the night owe it to the victims to face up fully to Sir John’s findings, to take responsibility and make the changes needed to prevent others going through what they have been going through these last four years.

“It is sadly clear that the country was under-prepared for an attack of this nature outside London and that security arrangements at large-scale events were insufficient. 

“I am encouraged the Chair has called for an overhaul of the law in relation to security at venues and this is an endorsement of the outstanding campaigning work of Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett. 

“The Government will have our full support in legislating for a Protect Duty, which here in Greater Manchester will always be known as Martyn’s Law.”

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