Manchester Synagogue Attack: UK Government Seeks to Block MI5 Files in Inquest

A Devastating Attack on a Sacred Day

On October 2, 2025, during the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, a terrorist attack struck the Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue in the Crumpsall area of Manchester, England. The assault left two people dead: Melvin Cravitz, 66, who died from stab wounds, and Adrian Daulby, 53, who was fatally shot by police while holding the synagogue's doors shut to protect worshippers inside.

The attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen born in Syria, wore what appeared to be a suicide belt, called the emergency number 999, and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group. He was shot dead by security forces at the scene.

Government Moves to Shield MI5 Documents

In a hearing on Thursday, September 3, 2026, before Senior Coroner Alexia Durran at Manchester Coroner's Court, the Home Office—represented by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood—filed a request to block the disclosure of MI5 intelligence material during the inquest. The government argues that releasing these documents would pose a serious risk to national security.

The inquest's counsel, Edward Pleeth, described the material as "potentially relevant" but so sensitive that it cannot be shared even in redacted form. Neil Sheldon KC, representing the Home Office, called the blocking request "cogent and compelling," referring to a "discrete body of information."

Families Suspect Official Statements Are Incomplete

Lawyers for the victims—Anna Morris KC (for Daulby) and Victoria Ailes (for Cravitz)—fear the MI5 files may contradict a statement made by Mahmood on October 13, 2025, in which she claimed al-Shamie "was never referred to the Prevent programme, nor known to counter-terrorism police or the security services."

Morris pointed to a "demonstrable lack of candour" in other proceedings, such as the Manchester Arena bombing inquiry, which has deepened the families' distrust of government assurances.

A Potential Path Forward: Closed-Door Statutory Inquiry

Because coroners' inquests cannot use secret evidence, Coroner Durran is considering converting the process into a public statutory inquiry, which would allow her to hear the MI5 material behind closed doors. This option could balance the need for transparency with national security requirements.

Scope of the Investigation

The inquest will examine al-Shamie's background, what the state knew about him, the synagogue's security, the risk assessment for the Jewish community, and the response to the attack. These factors are crucial in determining whether the deaths could have been prevented.

Additional Context: Links to Other Cases

In August 2025, Mohammad Asim Bashir, 31, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 16 years for hostile reconnaissance at the UK Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Swindon, where he had crossed paths with al-Shamie. Bashir was identified after the attack.

Furthermore, Greater Manchester Police admitted they seized al-Shamie's phones in 2025 during unrelated arrests but did not examine them until after the attack. This admission has sparked criticism over information handling.

In a related development, Hekmat Omar Ali Hakim, 49, was charged on August 21, 2026 with failing to disclose information about the attack. He pleaded not guilty, and his next hearing is scheduled for September 25, 2026 at the Old Bailey in London.

Coroner Durran's decision on the blocking request and the potential shift to a statutory inquiry will be pivotal in determining whether the victims' families can access the full truth about what happened.