Conspiracy theory which suggests Manchester Arena attack was staged is 'absurd and fantastical', judge rules

A claim that the Manchester Arena terror attack was staged by government agencies and did not kill or injure anyone is "absurd and fantastical", a High Court judge has ruled.

Martin Hibbert and his daughter, Eve, who were both left with life-changing injuries after the bombing that left 22 people dead in 2017, are bringing legal action against Richard Hall, who has been spreading the conspiracy theory.

Mr Hibbert was left with a spinal injury and Eve, who was 14 at the time of the attack, has severe brain damage as a result of the explosion that took place as crowds left the Ariana Grande concert.

Suicide bomber Salman Abedi, 22, detonated a home-made, shrapnel-packed device in the Manchester Arena - with hundreds injured as the blast dispersed thousands of nuts and bolts.

However, Mr Hall has claimed the terror attack was faked.

He is said to have made money from selling books and DVDs outlining various conspiracy theories he promotes, as well as speaking at events and posting videos online. His videos are reported to have had more than 16 million views on YouTube.

He has been accused of visiting the homes and workplaces of those injured in the bombing - including Miss Hibbert's home - and recording footage of them.

A BBC investigation in 2022 found that he shared a video demonstrating that he set up a camera to film Eve, who is disabled and in a wheelchair since the attack, to see whether she could actually walk.