Attack conspiracy 'nonsense on street corner' without internet

A self-described journalist who claims the Manchester Arena attack was faked would be "spouting their nonsense while standing on a soapbox at a street corner" without the internet, the High Court has heard.

Martin and Eve Hibbert are suing Richard Hall for harassment and data protection at the London court, over several videos and a book in which Mr Hall makes claims the bombing was a "hoax".

Mr Hall claimed that the attack, in which Salman Abedi detonated a homemade rucksack bomb in the crowd of concert-goers, was faked by government agencies, using "crisis actors".

Defending the claims, lawyers for Mr Hall said his actions were "pursued for the purpose of preventing or detecting crime".

Mr Hibbert sustained a spinal cord injury, causing paralysis during the attack, while Miss Hibbert was left with a "catastrophic" brain injury and was initially presumed dead by emergency services at the scene.

In a witness statement for the trial, made available on Tuesday, Mr Hibbert said the role of the internet in the "conspiracy" was "not lost" on him.

Mr Hibbert added: "Years ago, people like Mr Hall would have spouted their nonsense while standing on a soapbox at a street corner. Few would have stopped and listened.

"But in the age of the internet, anyone can listen and believe."

Paul Oakley, for Mr Hall, previously said his client is "entirely entitled" to have his views, which were formed after he "scoured the public domain".

The High Court in London was also previously told that Mr Hall had filmed Miss Hibbert and her mother, Sarah Gillbard, at their house.

Mr Hall has said that he has deleted the footage from outside the home, and the court was told it was filmed from the public street.

Giving evidence on Tuesday, Ms Gillbard was questioned about Miss Hibbert referring to Mr Hall as "stalker man".

Mr Oakley said: "It seems to me the name or phrase stalker man is quite a frightening phrase."

"Not particularly," Ms Gillbard said.

She added: "At the end of the day, it was the easiest way for Eve to know who I was talking about if it came up. Eve doesn't read into the name."

The trial before Mrs Justice Steyn is due to conclude on Thursday, with a decision expected in writing at a later date.

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