The UK government has launched a public inquiry into the deaths of two Jewish men, Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, who were killed in a terror attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on October 2 last year. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the inquiry, stating that it will ensure all evidence, including sensitive national security material, can be fully examined.
Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a Syrian-born British citizen with declared support for the Islamic State, drove his vehicle through the synagogue gates and carried out a knife attack. Cravitz, 66, died from stab wounds inflicted by Al-Shamie, while Daulby, 53, sustained a fatal bullet wound from police fire. Three other individuals were injured in the attack but later released from hospital.
The decision to hold a public inquiry follows admissions by Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson of missed opportunities to uncover Al-Shamie's plot. An internal review revealed that Al-Shamie's mobile devices had been seized by police following two arrests on suspicion of breaching a non-molestation order and rape, but the data on these devices was not examined before the attack. Sir Stephen expressed deep regret over this oversight, stating that the information likely would have led to further investigative action.
Al-Shamie was on police bail at the time of the attack. His friend and accomplice, Mohammad Bashir, 31, was sentenced to life imprisonment in July for planning a separate terror attack with Al-Shamie on the UK Defence Academy. The Chief Coroner of England and Wales had previously recommended that the inquests into the deaths be converted into a public inquiry.
"What happened that day must be fully understood," Mahmood told lawmakers. "This will ensure that all evidence can be heard, including any sensitive national security material that could not otherwise be fully heard in the coroner's court."