Survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing have launched a legal action against a conspiracy theorist who has falsely claimed the attack was faked.
Martin Hibbert and his daughter Eve were severely injured in the terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert in 2017 that left 22 people dead.
The family have accused Richard D Hall of defamation and harassment after he promoted the theory that the attack never took place, and reportedly tracked them down and admitted spying on them. Last Friday, they sought an injunction and damages, having initially signalled their intention to bring legal action in October 2022.
Hibbert was at the concert with Eve, who was 14 at the time. They were standing about 5 metres from the bomb when it detonated and are thought to be the closest people to it to survive. Both need to use wheelchairs after sustaining serious injuries.\
On Monday, the Hibberts’ lawyers, Hudgell Solicitors, said: “We can confirm that proceedings were issued in the high court on Friday on behalf of Martin and his daughter Eve.
“Those proceedings are for protection from harassment and misuse of private information and include an application for a restraining injunction and damages. Mr Richard Hall will shortly be served with papers and will then have an opportunity to formally respond.
“Martin is very determined to shut this individual down from harassing his family, and for peddling his outrageous slurs, lies and repugnant views that have caused continuing offence and distress.”