Louis Browne KC delivers Closing Submissions at the Manchester Arena Inquiry

March 16, 2022

Acting for the University of Salford, Louis Browne KC has delivered his closing submissions at the Manchester Arena Inquiry.

Louis Browne KC reiterated that everyone at the University was horrified to learn that one of its own students, Salman Abedi, was the perpetrator. He also repeated the University’s condolences to the families of the deceased and those injured in the attack.

Louis Browne KC explained how the University of Salford acted promptly, independently and responsibly by instigating its own review of its dealings with Salman Abedi.  The University particularly sought to assess its performance under its duty to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, and its provision of student welfare and support. That review had been completed and its recommendations were being implemented, well before the announcement of the Inquests being convened.

In submitting the University’s suggested conclusions for the Inquiry to draw, Louis Browne KC stated that there were no signs of Abedi’s radicalisation apparent for the University to have recognised.   Furthermore, there was no failure on the part of the University to identify or prevent Abedi’s radicalisation and the University was not culpable in failing to recognise his radicalisation or in failing to take steps to de-radicalise him.  Louis Browne KC concluded by stating that all the safeguarding structures were in place, as well as progress monitoring and support mechanisms.

Louis Browne KC was instructed by Iain Campbell and Laura Scott at Hill Dickinson Solicitors, Liverpool.