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However, Mr Major, CEO of security software company Halo Solutions, said: \u201cFigen Murray is absolutely correct in her assessment of the Martyn\u2019s Law legislation and that the government must proceed with strong and robust legislation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny weakening or reduction of the proposed measures in the draft Terrorism (Protection Of Premises) Bill, also known as \u201cMartyn\u2019s Law\u2019, would potentially put the public at even greater risk of another terror attack, as terrorists would merely switch their tactics to focus on softer targets without such counter terrorism measures in place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Protecting the public from terror attacks needed to be \u201cmore of a priority\u201d, Mr Major stressed.<\/p>\n
He explained: \u201cIt is vital that all public venues and premises have counter terrorism measures and training in place to protect staff and members of the public against the threat of an attack.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAny weakening of the proposed measures in the draft bill would be counterproductive to the very foundation of Martyn\u2019s Law.<\/p>\n
\u201cTime and time again we hear the words \u2018lessons will be learned\u2019 and the reality is that lessons are rarely ever learned, and the same tragic mistakes are repeated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Major, formerly employed by the National Counter Terrorism Police Operations Centre, continued: \u201cTerrorism does not discriminate against a small pub or a large stadium venue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have witnessed a dynamic range of attacks from the Soho pub bombings to the London Borough Market, Manchester Arena attacks and many more. It is our collective responsibility to all be more vigilant, prepared and aware of terrorism after the tragic impact of all these attacks.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAll business owners, live music venues, bars, pubs and restaurants need to work together collectively to protect the public and their staff against terrorism. We do it for Health and Safety, this is no different and certainly no more onerous or costly.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cHave MPs not understood the severity of incidents such as Hillsborough, the Manchester Arena bombing and the countless other foiled terror attacks?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is\u00a0naive\u00a0to think that the proposed measures in the new pre-legislation of Martyn\u2019s Law would fail to make a difference to public safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou simply cannot compromise on public safety when you see the devastation caused by a terrorist incident. All businesses, no matter how small or large, have a moral duty of care and safety to their staff and the public to protect them against danger and the threat of terrorism.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Speaking last month, Dame Diana Johnson, the Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull North and the chairwoman of the Home Affairs Committee, said: \u201cWe must do all we can to ensure venues are equipped to react to terror threats.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the government must ensure that measures are based on an accurate assessment of risk and not arbitrary capacity figures.<\/p>\n
“We are also concerned that this bill as currently drafted would fail to make a significant impact in preventing or mitigating the effects of terrorism.”<\/p>\n
In accordance with the Bill as it was currently worded, a village hall would be required to take safety precautions while an open-air farmers market in a city centre would not, Dame Diana said.<\/p>\n