Manchester Arena terror attack survivors sue conspiracy theorist in legal first

Survivors of the Manchester Arena terror attack are suing a conspiracy theorist who claims the bombing was a hoax in a landmark legal case.

Richard D Hall is being sued for defamation and harassment by Martin and Eve Hibbert, a father and daughter who were left with severe disabilities after the 2017 attack, which left 22 people dead.

Mr Hibbert was left paralysed from the waist down after he suffered 22 shrapnel wounds from the blast as he attended an Ariana Grande concert with his then 14-year-old daughter.

Last year, a BBC Panorama investigation reported the couple were among victims targeted by Mr Hall, who described online how he monitors Manchester Arena survivors at their homes and workplaces to see if they are lying about their injuries.

Mr Hall told the BBC he spied on Miss Hibbert from a vehicle parked outside her home.

The Hibberts are now seeking an injunction to restrain Mr Hall from making similar allegations in future as well as damages.

Mr Hibbert told the BBC he hopes the action will set a precedent to help protect other survivors from conspiracies.

“It does sometimes feel like a bit of a weight, so it would be nice to be able to put it to bed and just be able to move on with our lives,” he said.

Representing the family, 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.”

The case is the first of its kind to be launched in the UK against a conspiracy theorist and echoes the lawsuit issued against American radio host Alex Jones.

Mr Jones was last year ordered to pay nearly $1.5bn to families of the Sandy Hook school shooting after falsely claiming the 2012 attack was faked.

The Telegraph has approached Mr Hall for comment.