'The Manchester Arena attack changed my life forever' - Figen Murray gets OBE from Prince William at Buckingham Palace

The mother of Manchester Arena bombing victim Martyn Hett spoke of her determination 'to make our young people more understanding and resilient to extremist influences' as she accepted an OBE at Buckingham Palace.

Figen Murray - who has successfully campaigned for greater security at venues since the atrocity - said the investiture ceremony was a 'special day' for her family after the terror attack in May, 2017 'changed my life forever'. She received her OBE at for her work and services in the realm of counter-terrorism.

Since Martyn's death, mum-of-five Figen achieved a Master's degree in counter-terrorism and has successfully lobbied the Government to make public spaces and venues safer through Martyn's Law. The Government's 'Protect Duty' was announced during the Queen's Speech earlier this month.

The draft Protect Duty Bill was one of 38 Bills announced in the package, following long delays to a period of public consultation due to the coronavirus pandemic. Under the proposals, venues would have a legal duty to devise and provide specific security plans for a terror attack.

Private and public owners of venues and sites currently have no obligation to act on free advice given to them from specialist counter-terrorism advisers about threats of a terrorist attack and how to mitigate the risk. The announcement said in the wake of the Arena bombing, the legislation would introduce new requirements for certain public locations and venues to draw up plans to respond to terrorism.

The proposed Bill has still got to go through various stages in the House of Commons - a first reading and a second reading - as well as pass through the House of Lords before it becomes law. But the announcement is being heralded as a huge