An independent review into the response to the Manchester Arena bombing will look at what “lessons can be learned for the future”.
Andy Burnham, the city’s mayor, has promised an “open, honest and independent” review after suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people after an Ariana Grande concert. Lord Kerslake, the former head of the civil service, will chair the review.
The trained accountant, who is currently chairman of London’s King’s College Hospital, told the BBC the review would focus “on the preparedness of Greater Manchester for such attacks and their response in the period, the week-and-a-half or so in which they had to respond”.
He added: “The issue of whether it could have been prevented is a different review process.”
He added: “There were thousands who were affected in some way by this terrible, terrible event. I see that as a key part of role as chair to make sure that their voices are heard as part of this review.
“They will have insights and ideas that won’t necessarily be available to the emergency services, good though they are.”
Announcing the appointment at a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on Friday, Mr Burnham praised the “stature and considerable experience” of the former head of the Civil Service.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester said people in the region are “still coming to terms with the enormity of what happened”. “This atrocious attack on our city was an unprecedented incident,” he said.
“The bravery and professionalism shown by the emergency services and many others that night was outstanding.
“The leaders of our public services had run planning exercises only weeks before the attack and, thanks to their actions, our city was ready to respond.
“But, as with any major incident, it is right to take an honest look at what happened so that the right lessons can be learned for the future, and this review will help us be even better prepared in the future and allow us to share our learning with other parts of the country.”
The review is expected to start in September after individual organisations have carried out their own reviews, and an interim report is expected to be completed by Christmas.
