Recommendation MAI-48: Statutory powers for witness attendance at inquiries
From Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 3: Radicalisation and Preventability, published 2 March 2023.
Recommendation
I also recommend that consideration be given to the creation of statutory powers under section 36 that can be used to prevent a material witness to an inquiry putting themselves beyond the reach of the existing powers to compel a witness's attendance. One such power, which would have assisted in the cases of Ismail Abedi and Ahmed Taghdi, would be a short-term restriction on the use of a witness's passport prior to attending to give evidence when required.
In brief (written by this site)
The Cabinet Office reported in February 2026 that the recommendation remained in progress, explaining that the Ministry of Justice would consider it in light of wider reforms to strengthen the public inquiries system following recommendations from the Statutory Inquiries Committee (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). In that February 2026 update, the department added that any legislative changes needed would be "taken forward as part of this broader package" (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). The UK government had previously partially accepted the recommendation in November 2025 (Cabinet Office response, Nov 2025).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
Partially accepted
Delivery
Cabinet Office says in progress (27 February 2026)
Following the recommendations of the Statutory Inquiries Committee on the efficacy of the law and practice relating to statutory inquiries under the Inquiries Act 2005 the Cabinet Office is currently considering wider reforms of the Inquiries Act as well as measures to strengthen the public inquiries system as a whole. These Inquiry recommendations will be considered by MoJ in light of these wider reforms and changes needed in legislation will be taken forward as part of this broader package.
Earlier statement on delivery (1)
Cabinet Office (14 November 2025)
Following the recommendations of the Statutory Inquiries Committee on the efficacy of the law and practice relating to statutory inquiries under the Inquiries Act 2005 the Cabinet Office is currently considering wider reforms of the Inquiries Act as well as measures to strengthen the public inquiries system as a whole. These Inquiry recommendations will be considered by MoJ in light of these wider reforms and changes needed in legislation will be taken forward as part of this broader package.
From: Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, original version (data file)
Source
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Cabinet Office
Delivery statement