UK

Two Manchester attack survivors have been awarded £45,000 in damages after winning a harassment claim against a former TV producer who says the bombing was staged.

The ruling in favour of Martin Hibbert and his daughter Eve comes after they sued Richard Hall over claims he made in several videos and a book that the arena attack was a state-orchestrated hoax.

He accused them of being “crisis actors” who were not at the concert and did not suffer their injuries there.

Mr Hall said filming Ms Hibbert outside her home was in the public interest as a journalist, adding that “millions of people have bought a lie” about the attack.

Salman Abedi killed 22 people and injured hundreds when he detonated a rucksack bomb at the Ariana Grande show on 22 May 2017.

The Hibberts were among those closest to Abedi when he detonated the bomb.

Mr Hibbert suffered multiple shrapnel wounds, leaving him paralysed from the waist down and suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

More on Manchester Bombing

Image:
Martin Hibbert was paralysed in the attack. Pic: PA

Ms Hibbert, then 14, was left with a “catastrophic” brain injury and needs full-time care. She also experiences PTSD and depression.

Judge Mrs Justice Steyn said last month that Mr Hall’s behaviour was “a negligent, indeed reckless, abuse of media freedom”.

On Friday, she awarded the Hibberts damages of £22,500 each. Mr Hall was also told to pay 90% of the Hibberts’ legal costs.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Articles You May Like

LG Energy Solution to provide Rivian 4695 cylindrical batteries produced in the US for the R2
AI software provider Cogna lands $15m from top investors
Russia Successfully Launches 53 Satellites into Target Orbit
Trump likely to uphold CHIPS Act despite his campaign rhetoric, policy experts say
Sun Erupts with X2.3 Solar Flare, Causes Radio Blackouts