Figen Murray OBE has criticised Conservative MP Katie Lam over her description of Martyn’s Law as her “most hated law”, arguing that the legislation is proportionate - and refuting the MP's allegations that it requires village halls to have emergency plans signed off by the ambulance service.
Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was one of 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorist attack, campaigned for six years to introduce legislation requiring publicly accessible venues and events to take steps to improve their preparedness for a terrorist attack.
Her response follows comments made by Lam, the shadow housing, communities and local government minister, at a local Conservative association meeting in June. An audio recording obtained by The Independent captured Lam describing the legislation as an “absurd set of regulations”.
Lam told the meeting that “every village hall trustee in the country is now legally on the hook if they don't have a plan that's been signed off by the ambulance service, like they don't have better things to do”, according to The Independent.
Murray rejected that characterisation, saying the comments demonstrated a misunderstanding of what the legislation requires.
“No one wants to leave their community more exposed to the threat of terrorism, and since my son Martyn was murdered, I've campaigned for basic protections at public venues so that no other family has to live with the pain and loss mine carries every day,” she told The Independent.
“Martyn's Law is robust and proportionate legislation initiated by the previous Conservative government. It has been shaped by years of consultation and passed with cross-party support. It will save lives by ensuring that public venues implement basic procedures to protect people, the kind the public would expect already exist.”
She added: “The comments expressed reveal a profound lack of understanding of the law - village halls do not need emergency services to sign off plans - which is why I will be writing to Katie Lam MP to ask for a meeting to help clarify her misunderstandings.”
What Martyn’s Law requires
Officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent in April 2025 following Murray’s campaign to improve public safety in the wake of the Manchester Arena attack.
The legislation introduces a tiered approach to protective security, based on the number of people a premises or event can accommodate.
The standard tier applies to qualifying premises where 200 or more people may be present. It requires those responsible to put in place procedures for responding to a terrorist incident, including evacuation, moving people to a safe place, locking down premises and communicating with people on site.
The government describes the standard-tier measures as “simple, low-cost activities with costs relating primarily to time spent”.
Enhanced requirements apply to qualifying premises and events where 800 or more people may be present. Depending on the circumstances, measures can include CCTV, bag searches and vehicle checks.
There is no requirement for plans to be signed off by the ambulance service.
The implementation period is ongoing, with the measures expected to come into effect in spring 2027, giving venues and event organisers time to understand their obligations and prepare.
Martyn’s Law has been a significant issue for the events industry since its development, with venues and event organisers considering what the new requirements will mean for their security procedures, staff training and event planning.
M&IT has followed the legislation throughout its progress, including discussing its implications for the industry with Murray on The Meeting Room podcast.
