A High Court Judge has ruled that a man who published and broadcast theories that the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing was an ‘elaborate hoax’ and was guilty of harassing survivors pay them a total of £45,000 in damages.
Richard Hall, a self-described ‘journalist’, claimed that the terrorist attack, which killed 22 people on May 22, 2017, had been ‘staged’, and that victims were actually unharmed ‘crisis actors’.
He had specifically alleged that victims Martin Hibbert and his daughter Eve had not been at the concert that night and did not suffer their injuries there.
Mr Hall sought out and attended at Eve’s home address having said that he was ‘sceptical over whether the daughter had ‘any injuries’.
He knocked on her mother’s door several times, and ‘furtively’ setting up a camera, capturing footage of Eve in her wheelchair.
In March 2020, Hall published a DVD and book called “Manchester: The Night of the Bang”, which included his ‘personal opinion’ and conclusion that the bombing had been ‘a well organised and well-planned fake terrorist incident’.
He claimed people ‘were probably coached to ensure they looked reasonably convincing in media interviews’ and that ‘all of the ‘injured’ participants had with them means with which to fake their injuries.’
‘A wholly unwarranted interference with the family’s right to privacy’
Following an earlier ruling that this amounted to harassment which had caused them ‘enormous distress,’ today at the High Court in London the Honourable Mrs Justice Steyn ruled that as well as paying damages of £22,500 to Mr Hibbert and £22,500 to his daughter Eve for harassment, Mr Hall be served with an injunction to prevent him from continuing to do so.
He was also ordered to pay the Hibberts’ legal costs; the final amount to be assessed.
Mr Hibbert had been the closest survivor to the bomber and suffered 22 shrapnel wounds, his life only saved by emergency surgery. He was left paralysed from the waist down, wheelchair-bound and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Eve was aged just 14 and was a fit and healthy girl at the time. She suffered very significant, permanent cognitive impairment as a result of the bombing and was left needing full-time care throughout her life, unable to walk unassisted, and suffering from PTSD and depression.
Outside court Mr Hibbert said:
The judge has found that Mr Hall’s actions surmounted to harassment, that they had caused added alarm, distress and anxiety to both me and my daughter. It was oppressive and unacceptable.
Freedom of expression provides protection for journalism, but Mr Hall has abused media freedom.
He repeatedly published false allegations and dismissed the tragic reality which so many ordinary people have experienced and continue to live with.
His abhorrent behaviour had to be challenged, not just for me and my family but for others too.
I am pleased with the judgment, and the comments of the Judge as to how unacceptable Hall’s behaviour was. It is a comprehensive victory for us.
I want this to case to open the door for change, and for it to protect others from what we have been put through.
The case has highlighted and proved that there is protection within the law, and it sends out a message to conspiracy theorists that you cannot ignore all acceptable evidence and harass innocent people.”
The Honourable Mrs Justice Steyn said Mr Hall had been ‘blinkered’ in his beliefs and his approach was to treat the statements of numerous ordinary people and professionals, including Mr Hibbert’s surgeon, as well as of an independent panel, and figures in authority, as of no value.
Following the civil legal action taken against Mr Hall, led by civil liberties specialists Hudgell Solicitors’ Kerry Gillespie said:
This has been a hugely important case, firstly for Martin and Eve, but also for the hundreds of others whose lives were forever changed by the events of that day in Manchester in 2017.
It is also important in the wider context of sending a very clear message to people who think they have the right to publish harmful, unfounded allegations against others, especially those who have already suffered from tragedy.
Many feel they can do this unchallenged, hiding behind the façade of challenging the official narrative. When that behaviour becomes harassment, we must step in on behalf of our clients.
Due to this case, led by Martin and supported by the team at Hudgell Solicitors, that landscape has been changed.
Martin and Eve have set a precedent which will hopefully see more people who engage in this sort of behaviour challenged. I am proud to have supported them on this journey.
Over a period of years, Mr Hall repeatedly published false allegations. Referring specifically to Hall visiting Eve’s home, and filming her, the Judge said it was “a wholly unwarranted interference with the family’s right to privacy.
Hall also faced an allegation related to data protection breaches which was discontinued.
Supporting survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing
Hudgell Solicitors has a dedicated team of specialist lawyers working on compensation claims for injured survivors of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
Our team is fully committed to securing damages for physical and psychological injuries, to recover loss of earnings and cover the costs of ongoing treatment, rehabilitation and care.
Learn more: Experts in Manchester Arena Bombing Claims
