The government has announced a public inquiry into the deaths of two men killed during the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on 2 October 2025.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the decision in the House of Commons on Monday 12 October 2026, following a request from the coroner. The inquiry will examine the deaths of Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby and allow relevant sensitive national security evidence to be considered.
Inquiry announced following coroner's request
Mahmood told MPs that the events of the attack must be fully understood. She explained that a public inquiry would permit the examination of sensitive national security material that could not otherwise be fully heard in the coroner's court.
The announcement confirms the government's decision to establish an inquiry; it does not yet establish its final terms of reference, chair or timetable.
Two worshippers killed during Yom Kippur attack
The attack took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby died and three other people were seriously injured.
The attacker, Jihad Al-Shamie, drove a vehicle towards worshippers before attacking people with a knife. He was shot dead by armed police.
The Home Office previously stated that initial findings indicated Mr Daulby sustained a gunshot wound during the armed police response. The circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the police response and relevant intelligence, are matters for the appropriate investigative processes.
Why a public inquiry matters
The Chief Coroner recommended an inquiry amid concerns that ordinary inquest proceedings could not fully accommodate sensitive national security evidence. An inquiry can provide a mechanism for considering such material, although that does not mean every document or hearing will be made public.
The decision should not be interpreted as a finding of wrongdoing by any public authority or individual. The inquiry's purpose will be to establish the relevant facts and examine the circumstances within its eventual terms of reference.
Government addresses wider threat to Jewish communities
In the same parliamentary statement, Mahmood described continuing threats to Jewish communities and outlined the government's response to antisemitism and terrorism. Those wider security measures are separate from the newly announced inquiry into the Heaton Park deaths.
Further details of the inquiry's leadership, scope and timetable are awaited.