Manchester Arena survivors to sue conspiracy theorist

Two Manchester Arena survivors have filed legal action against a conspiracy theorist who claims the attack was faked.

Father and daughter Martin and Eve Hibbert are suing Richard D Hall for defamation and harassment. Martin

Manchester Arena Attack

was paralysed from the waist down and Eve was left severely disabled by the Manchester Arena attack in 2017, which killed 22 people. This is the first time action of this type has been taken against a conspiracy theorist.

Last year, a Radio 4 podcast series and BBC Panorama investigation revealed that Richard D Hall tracks down survivors to their homes and workplaces to see if they are lying about their injuries. Hall admitted that he spied on Eve Hibbert from a vehicle outside their home. He has also sold a book in which he described his tactics, and promoted theories online that other UK terror attacks were staged. The Hibbert family is now seeking an injunction to restrain Hall from making similar allegations in future and damages for some of the harm he has caused them.

Jacinda Ardern takes on role tackling online extremism

Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has taken on a role tackling violent extremism online. The news follows her resignation as prime minister in January. She will take on an unpaid role as special envoy for the Christchurch Call, an initiative which she cofounded in 2019 to bring together countries and technology companies to combat extremism following the Christchurch attack in March 2019, in which 51 people were killed.

EXTREMISM

Current prime minister, Chris Hipkins, said: “The Christchurch Call is a foreign policy priority for the government and Jacinda Ardern is uniquely placed to keep pushing forward with the goal of eliminating violent extremist content online. “Terrorist and violent extremist content online is a global issue, but for many in New Zealand it is also very personal.”

Commission for Countering Extremism publishes end of year report

The Commission for Countering Extremism has published its end of year report for 2022 to 2023. The document reviews the work of the Commission for Countering Extremism and its commissioner, Robin Simcox, over the past year.

Simcox was appointed to the role in July having previously serviced as interim commissioner since March 2021.

According to the report, the CCE has ramped up its engagement with government over the last 12 months while also ensuring it speaks to a broad range of external voices.

Also in November last year, Simcox gave evidence to the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee meeting on counter-terrorism and radicalisation in London, where he answered questions on a range of issues, including Prevent, the impact of COVID-19, prisons and the Online Safety Bill.

In October, the CCE held its inaugural Policy Week with virtual panel discussions to introduce government officials to the work of the CCE and showcase debate and discussion between leading academics and experts.

Throughout 2022, a portfolio of academic research products was commissioned focussing on: how blasphemy is viewed and presented by UK Islamists; how various fringe ideologies promote anti-government messaging online; incel networks; the evidence bases around radicalisation and deradicalisation; and the national research environment for the study of extremism in the UK.

Simcox also had conversations with the Welsh Government and leading counter-extremism academics and professionals on the challenges of extremism in Swansea and Cardiff.

Simcox said: “The challenges England and Wales face from extremist ideologies were once again laid bare in the last 12 months.

“We have seen an immigration centre firebombed, inter-community violence on the streets and attempts to silence the basic right to free expression. The fight against extremism is a relentless one and, in such moments, it can also feel like a hopeless one.

“However, these events should also serve to remind us all why counter-extremism matters. They should remind us that striving for a more harmonious society – one free from terrorist violence, sectarianism and the restriction of basic rights – is as worthy a goal as ever. And that pluralism, democracy and liberty not only need to be defended: they need to be championed.”

Draft legislation for Martyn’s Law is set to be published in the spring. Figen Murray, campaigner and mother of Martyn Hett, whom the law is named after, explains what we can expect and what it has taken to get this far