Officer involved in Manchester Arena bombing response to face misconduct meeting

It follows a voluntary complaint referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) from GMP on September 2, 2021.

The complaint was made to the force on August 28, 2021, by family members who lost loved ones in the attack. The complaints relate to the actions and decision-making of the officer on the night.

It was alleged that the officer failed to alert others that they were not sufficiently skilled, experienced or knowledgeable to be able to effectively fulfil the role of coordinating the police response.

The officer was served with a formal notice that their conduct was under investigation in May 2024.

“We concluded our investigation and sent our final report with our provisional opinions to the force in February 2025,” said the IOPC. “GMP responded last month and agreed with our opinion that the officer has a case to answer for misconduct for potential breaches of the police standards of professional behaviour relating to integrity, duties and responsibilities, and discreditable conduct.

“GMP will now arrange for disciplinary proceedings to take place.”

The IOPC has also recommended that GMP makes an apology to the complainants for the shortcomings on the night of the attack at an appropriate time. This should also include an explanation of the steps the force has taken to prevent similar issues arising again in the future.

It said: “During the course of our investigation, we reviewed a substantial amount of information relating to the incident, including evidence provided to the Manchester Arena Inquiry. IOPC investigators analysed relevant policies, procedures and training and examined the actions of the officer.”

IOPC Director Amanda Rowe said: “Our investigation follows the tragic incident on May 22, 2017, when a bomb was detonated at the Manchester Arena in which 22 people sadly lost their lives. Our thoughts remain with all those affected– a tragedy that will forever have a profound impact right across Greater Manchester and beyond.

“It was vital for public confidence in policing that such matters were subject to thorough and independent scrutiny and our independent investigation looked into a complaint regarding the actions and decision-making of a senior GMP officer on the night of the attack.

“It will now be for a police disciplinary panel to consider the evidence and reach a decision based on all the available information.”

GMP Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said: “We support the IOPC’s direction to hold a misconduct meeting after a complaint about a serving senior officer involved in the response to the Manchester Arena attack. The outcome of this disciplinary will be made public.

“I want to reiterate the chief constable’s unreserved apology made on behalf of GMP to the families following the public inquiry.

“We are steadfast in our commitment to ensure we do not repeat the inadequacies identified in the public inquiry. We have worked extensively in the years since to continue cementing the substantive improvements made as a result of the recommendations made.”