Campaigner Figen Murray OBE and health & safety lawyer Andrew Sanderson discussed the evolving landscape of counter-terrorism legislation in the UK in a compelling webinar with Safety & Security Digital.
Focusing on the anticipated Protect Duty, known as Martyn’s Law, the session shed light not only on the legislation’s key provisions but also on the personal, legal and societal dimensions that underscore its importance.
Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, opened the discussion with deeply moving recollections of her most meaningful moments since launching her campaign. After discussing the emotions she felt on the day the legislation was given Royal Assent, she then highlighted some of her early speaking engagements and noticing the visible emotions on the faces of the audience as an early driving factor in her commitment to producing tangible change.
She also addressed her meetings with former and current Prime Ministers Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretaries James Cleverly and Yvette Cooper, noting them as significant moments along the journey.
When asked which elements of Martyn’s Law she believed would make the greatest impact, Figen emphasised the need for a wider mind shift amongst both the public and the safety and security industries. She talked about how these measures will help drive a fundamental cultural shift in how public spaces are managed, ensuring preparedness becomes embedded into daily operations rather than treated as an afterthought.
Looking to the future, Figen expressed hope that Martyn’s Law could set a legislative precedent not only across the UK but internationally. She also commented on how although her mission has been a resounding success with the passing of the new law, she will “not be going anywhere” and will be keeping a very keen eye on the progress of the sector in terms of absorbing and implementing this new compliance.
Andrew Sanderson, from the Kingsley Napley law firm, then contextualised the Protect Duty within the UK’s broader counter-terrorism strategy, describing an existing “detachment” in the general approach that he hoped this legislation would begin to correct.
He discussed how increased engagement from government, security services, policing and now organisations, venues and individuals would be a huge step in the right direction in terms of dealing with counter-terrorism.
With Andrew’s background in health and safety and also the defence and security sector, he was well positioned to discuss the key practical steps that organisations would need to take to comply going forward. He emphasised the need for businesses to begin to assess what they’re doing right now: what security measures and arrangements do they currently have in place and where might they be lacking.
He then talked about the formal risk assessment process that would then follow and the steps that businesses would need to take in order to prepare, namely developing a proportionate security plan based on the reviews that have taken place. This would precede the implementation of appropriate measures with regards to entrances and exits, signage and all other elements to venue security, particularly the effective training of staff.
He also warned about the need for these plans to stay dynamic in the face of changing threats and that regular reviews would be needed in order to refresh and adapt.
The webinar was sponsored by Cardinus Risk Management, who have a vast wealth of security and operational experience. This experience, along with an extensive network of experts in various fields, means that they can reassure organisations, identify any vulnerabilities and problem solve any issues that arise over time. Their Protect Duty Assessments mitigate the very latest threats and align with the Martyn's Law legislation.
The webinar served as both a timely reminder of the story behind Martyn’s Law and a technical briefing and call to action. With a blend of personal testimony and legal expertise, the session underscored the profound stakes of the legislation and its potential to reshape how the UK - and perhaps the world - approaches public safety in an age of complex threats.
Subscribe to the Safety & Security Digital webinar platform here.
