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Sophie Doughty

Manchester Arena bombing inquiry: Liam Curry's mum's emotional statement in full

The mum of Manchester Arena bombing victim Liam Curry made an emotional speech today after it was revealed a potential chance to prevent the atrocity was missed.

Liam, 19, was killed alongside his 17-year-old girlfriend Chloe Rutherford when suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated his deadly device in the foyer of the venue after an Ariana Grade concert in May 2017.

The young couple, from South Shields, were among 22 people to lose their lives in the atrocity, which also killed Philip Tron, 32, and 19-year-old Courtney Boyle, both from Gateshead.

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Today the third and final report published after a long-running public inquiry into the bombing revealed that MI5 missed a "significant opportunity" to stop Abedi, which might have prevented the attack.

Liam's mum, Caroline Curry, spoke outside Manchester Magistrates Court.

Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry. (PA)

Here is her statement in full:

"All we as families have asked for from day one is the truth, acknowledgment of failures, and a determination to make sure that failures are fixed so that next time, because next time, and there will be a next time, but hopefully next time there won't be as many families going through the utter heartbreak we have had to endure for the last five years, nine months, one week, and one day," she said as she broke down in tears.

"We didn't get that acknowledgement from anyone other than GMFRS until the chairman's reports were published. Shame on you all.

Salman Abedi before he carried out the Manchester Arena terror attack (PA)

"In this volume of the report, the chair has recognised that there was significant missed opportunity by MI5 which had they taken action could ultimately have changed the course of what happened that night. He also identified a lack of information sharing between the police and the security services. We hope lessons really will be learned this time.

"However, there were some heroes that night. And to name a few; Sergeant Kam Hare, Inspector Mike Smith, Chief Inspector Mark Dexter and civilians Bethany Crook, Ronald Blake and Darron Costa. This is where the medals should have gone.

"We have sat through eight weeks at the Old Bailey and over two years here at the inquiry. We've read countless statements, listened to hours of evidence and we can only hope that one day the whole truth will come out and others including the fugitive brother and parents face justice because we will never believe they were in this alone.

"Forgiveness will never be an option for such evil intentions and those that played any part in the murder of our children will never ever get forgiveness. From top to bottom, MI5, to the associates of the attacker. We will always believe that you all played a part in the murder of our children.

"We will spend the rest of our lives trying to protect our boys because as we found out through this process, once you leave the safety of your home you are on your own. So many people being paid that night to protect our kids and yet so many failed in their duties. Professionals that had responsibility but clearly had other priorities. Security staff that even when told of the danger failed to act appropriately.

"Once again, we'll never forgive you. Nothing can bring Liam and Chloe back. Nothing."

Ms Curry added that the charity they have set up in their names will continue to go strong and they will continue to campaign for changes in the law regarding registering of deaths. She added: "But we won't let them be forgotten. We have set up a charity in their names as a lasting legacy to show that from absolute heartbreak something positive can rise. We will continue to campaign to be allowed to register the personal detail on their death certificates and we won't rest until all those who played a role in their deaths are brought to justice.

"Can we finally thank Duncan Atkinson KC, Victoria Ailes and Adam Payter for being our voice throughout this ordeal. And our amazing team from Hogan Lovells, Scott, Hayley and Helen for their constant support, even on the darkest days. You will never know how much this meant to us, the families of Chloe and Liam."

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