Manchester Arena bomb victims call for release of mosque action plan

The charity watchdog has been urged to reveal its action plan for a mosque criticised in the Manchester Arena bomb inquiry.

Richard Scorer, a solicitor acting for some of the victims' families, has called for transparency.

In response the Charity Commission said it needed confidentiality in its dealings with the mosque.

Twenty-two people were killed in the attack by suicide bomber Salman Abedi in May 2017.

The inquiry chaired by Sir John Saunders cleared Didsbury Mosque of any involvement in the radicalisation of Abedi, who worshipped there, but said it was guilty of "wilful blindness" to extremism.

An investigation by the commission into the mosque began in March, although it had given it an action plan in 2018.

The commission has refused a Freedom of Information request by the Manchester Evening News to reveal details of the action plan and whether it had been complied with.

Mr Scorer said the watchdog had been "unnecessarily secretive."

He told BBC North West Tonight: "The public inquiry had made some serious criticisms of what had happened at this mosque and it made very serious criticism of the chair who remains in post despite those criticisms."

The solicitor added that it was in the "public interest" whether the criticism was addressed.

He also said: "It is important we have transparency."

Mr Scorer rejected the commission's assertion that a lack of public disclosure enabled a full discussion of the problems at the mosque.

He said: "I don't accept that explanation - if the mosque was seriously engaged it can be open and transparent."

The lawyer added: "Families of the victims want to see action taken in relation to these issues."

A spokesperson for the Charity Commission said: "Our engagement with the charity to date has enabled full and frank exchanges with due sensitivity to the concerns of the communities affected.

"As a regulator we use our powers effectively to ensure lessons are learned and real changes are made that help charities get back on track."

A statement from the mosque said: "In terms of the mosque concerns, we continue to welcome the community and continue to work across and within the community.

"Our doors continue to be open for everyone, and it has always been this way."

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]