On 7 September 2026, following hearings on 3 and 4 September 2026, the Chief Coroner for England and Wales, HHJ Alexia Durran, announced that she was granting an application by the Secretary of State for the Home Department for Public Interest Immunity. The result of that decision was that she was unable to conduct sufficiently full and effective inquests into the deaths of Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, and the Chief Coroner would therefore be writing to the Secretary of State to request that she exercise her power to establish a public inquiry.
Melvin Cravitz was killed by the attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, during the attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Yom Kippur, 2 October 2025. Adrian Daulby died after being struck by a bullet fired by armed police, who also shot dead al-Shamie.
The Chief Coroner had been hearing the inquests into the deaths, which were to focus on al-Shamie’s background and what was known about him prior to the attack. They were also to examine security at the synagogue, the role of the state in assessing the risks to the Jewish community in Greater Manchester, and the response to the attack.
If a public inquiry is established, it is anticipated that its scope will be similar. However an inquiry, unlike an inquest, is empowered to hear evidence in closed session where that evidence touches on matters of national security.
Nick Armstrong KC acts for Cindy Butts, the Independent Public Advocate (IPA), in her first deployment since the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 created the statutory role to support victims and the bereaved in the aftermath of major incidents. The IPA was automatically designated an interested person to the inquests.
Jesse Nicholls acts for the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, instructed by Brunskill Solicitors.
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