Worker spotted ‘crank’ at Manchester Arena ‘in area he should not have been’

Julie Merchant said she did not think the man was a bomber but thought it “worth mentioning” as he had “secreted himself away in an area he should not have been”

The Manchester Arena inquiry (Peter Byrne/PA)

Thu, 15 Oct, 2020 - 17:09

Kim Pilling, PA

A security worker told a police officer about a praying “crank” at the Manchester Arena about 30 minutes before the blast that killed 22 people and injured hundreds more, an inquiry has heard.

Julie Merchant said she did not think the man was a bomber but thought it “worth mentioning” as he had “secreted himself away in an area he should not have been”.