Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill

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The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn's Law is a proposed item of United Kingdom legislation introduced in the aftermath of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. It requires venues hosting large events (over 200 participants) to make plans and train staff for their response to any potential terrorist attacks. [1] [2] [3]

The bill was included in the King's speech at the 2024 State Opening of Parliament. [4] It was introduced to Parliament on 12 September 2024 and is expected to have its second reading on 14 October 2024. [5]

Martyn Hett, by whose name the legislation is known, was one of 22 people killed in the bombing, and his mother Figen Murray campaigned for this new law. [3]

This legislation had previously been included in the King's speech at the 2023 State Opening of Parliament in the previous parliament, [6] but had not been introduced by the time Parliament was suspended for the 2024 general election. [7] [8] Martyn Hett's mother walked 200 miles to London in May 2024 to meet the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and reported that he "promised her he would introduce Martyn's Law to Parliament before the summer recess, but could not guarantee it would be passed before the next election"; hours later he called the general election, bringing a halt to parliamentary business. [9]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 State Opening of Parliament</span> Start of session of UK Parliament

A State Opening of the Parliament of the United Kingdom took place on 17 July 2024 when King Charles III opened the first session of the Parliament elected in 2024, which was the first after the 2024 general election. Charles III delivered the King's Speech, his second as monarch, and the first since returning to his public duties after receiving treatment for cancer earlier in the year. The King set out the UK government's legislative programme for the following parliamentary session.

References

  1. Syal, Rajeev (12 September 2024). "Martyn's law to require terror safety plans at venues with 200-plus capacity". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  2. "Martyn's Law Factsheet – Home Office in the media". homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  3. 1 2 "'Martyn's Law' introduced in Parliament to better protect the public from terrorism". GOV.UK. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  4. ""This time it feels very different" - government commits to Martyn's Law". mitmagazine.co.uk. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  5. "The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill 2024-25: Research briefing". House of Commons Library. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  6. "King's Speech 2023: What was in King Charles III's speech?". BBC News. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  7. Zeldin-O'Neill, Sophie (19 December 2022). "Martyn's law: plans unveiled for counter-terror rules for UK venues". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  8. Sabbagh, Dan (6 March 2023). "'Martyn's law' anti-terrorism bill to be published this spring, says Braverman". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  9. Gawne, Ewan (24 May 2024). "Manchester arena bomb victim's mother 'let down' despite PM promise". BBC News. Retrieved 14 October 2024.