The chief coroner of England and Wales has formally requested that the government hold a public inquiry into the Manchester synagogue terror attack that took place last October. Judge Alexia Durran is expected to write to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, urging the conversion of the inquests into a full public inquiry.

The initial inquests were set to examine the deaths of two men, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, who were killed in the attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue. The attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a Syrian-born British citizen, carried out the assault, which has since prompted ongoing legal and security reviews.

During a recent hearing, representatives from the Home Office requested that certain MI5 information related to the case be withheld from public disclosure, citing national security concerns. This request highlighted a significant limitation of the inquest process, which does not permit private or restricted hearings and requires all proceedings to be open to the press and public.

Judge Durran suggested that the limitations of inquests could hinder a comprehensive examination of the circumstances surrounding the attack, particularly when sensitive intelligence is involved. Unlike inquests, public inquiries have the ability to conduct closed sessions where classified evidence can be reviewed without public or media attendance, providing a mechanism to balance transparency with national security.

The call for a public inquiry reflects the desire for a more thorough and flexible investigation into the events leading to the attack, the response of security services, and potential lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy. The decision now rests with the Home Secretary and the government, who will assess the Chief Coroner’s recommendation in the context of public interest and national security considerations.