Ken McCallum, MI5’s Director General, said he was “profoundly sorry” that his service had not prevented the attack.
“Gathering covert intelligence is difficult but had we managed to seize the slim chance we had, those impacted might not have experienced such appalling loss and trauma,” he said in a statement. Saunders told a media conference there had been a “significant missed opportunity to take action that might have prevented the attack.” He said he was unable to give details because of national security concerns, admitting this might leave victims’ families wanting to know more.
Richard Scorer, a lawyer for 11 bereaved families, said Saunders’ report had exposed “unacceptable” failures. “At the very least, a real possibility of preventing this attack was lost. This is a devastating conclusion for us,” he said.Manchester Arena Inquiry via AFP - Getty Images, 22, had been known to the security agency since 2014, had visited an influential jailed militant in prison, and should have been referred to a de-radicalisation programme, Saunders said.