An application by a childhood friend of the Manchester Arena bomber to keep his face from public view has been refused.
Ahmed Taghdi, 29, was arrested while trying to leave the country on Monday (October 18).
He had been given a court order warning that he must attend the Manchester Arena public inquiry today (Thursday).
He is currently answering questions about Salman Abedi, who carried out the terror attack on May 22, 2017.
Mr Taghdi was told last Friday that if he did not attend the inquiry this week he would be arrested.
He was arrested and placed in custody after attempting to get a flight to Vienna, then on to Palma, then back to the UK.
Earlier this week, the inquiry was told that Mr Taghdi was able to provide evidence of a return ticket to the UK today (October 20).
Mr Taghdi’s legal team today made an application not to display his face on the YouTube feed of the inquiry proceedings.
The application would have prevented the broadcast of his image.
But the request was refused by inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders.
The inquiry heard that Mr Taghdi has a 'subjective fear' that his family would be at risk of harm if his image is broadcast - and his health would be affected.
Counsel to the inquiry Paul Greaney QC told the hearing that there have been two 'risk assessments' by Greater Manchester Police in relation to the witnesses’ family.
Mr Greaney said the inquiry's legal team did not consider the application necessary as Mr Taghdi's image has already been broadcast on television news reports.
Richard Wright QC, for Mr Taghdi, said the chairman had made a determination earlier this year that Mr Taghdi was a 'vulnerable witness' and attracted special measures.
“Mr Taghdi is himself expressing fear,” he said.
But Sir John refused the application, stating that Mr Taghdi was arrested trying to leave the country this week and has been in custody ever since.
Mr Taghdi is currently giving evidence to the inquiry in person.
The inquiry has been told that he is a key witness as the hearings turn to why and how Salman Abedi and his younger brother and fellow bomb-plotter, Hashem, became radicalised.
