The UK government has applied to prevent certain information held by the domestic security service, MI5, from being disclosed publicly during the inquests into the deaths of two men during a fatal attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester. The application, made by the Home Office, was revealed during a pre-inquest hearing at Manchester Coroner's Court.
Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old Syrian-born British citizen, drove a vehicle into the synagogue gates on October 2, 2023. He then proceeded to attack individuals with a knife while wearing a mock suicide vest. Melvin Cravitz, 66, died from multiple stab wounds. Adrian Daulby, 53, was killed by a bullet fired by armed police who responded to the scene. Daulby was reportedly attempting to block the synagogue doors to prevent Al-Shamie's entry.
Representing the Home Office, Neil Sheldon KC informed the court that the disclosure of MI5 information could jeopardize national security. "The Secretary of State asserts that disclosure would harm national security," Sheldon stated.
However, legal representatives for the victims' families have contested the government's move, describing the Public Interest Immunity application as contradictory to statements made by officials after the attack. Lawyers for the families pointed to public assurances from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and counter-terror police chiefs who stated that Al-Shamie was not known to them and was not on their radar.
Victoria Ailes, counsel for the Cravitz family, argued before Chief Coroner of England and Wales Judge Alexia Durran that the "interest in open justice is heightened" in this case. Anna Morris KC, representing the Daulby family, raised concerns about a "demonstrable lack of candour" by security services in "other proceedings." She added that the Daulby family is concerned the government's application and the information it seeks to protect might conflict with public statements indicating the attacker was unknown to counter-terror policing and security agencies. The Daulby family expects a "rigorous investigation" into the death and has expressed worries about potential delays and the protection of their procedural rights.