Survivors of the Manchester Arena bomb attack have filed landmark legal action against a conspiracy theorist who claims the attack was a fake. Martin and Eve Hibbert, who were left with severe disabilities after the blast in 2017, are suing Richard D Hall for defamation and harassment in a civil case in what is the first such action in the UK against a conspiracy theorist.

Mr Hibbert was paralysed from the waist down while his daughter Eve was left severely disabled by the terror attack which killed 22 people.

Last October, the BBC revealed the Hibberts are among victims allegedly targeted by Mr Hall.

In postings online, he has recounted tracking down survivors to see if they are lying about their injuries.

Mr Hall admitted to the broadcaster he spied on Miss Hibbert from a vehicle parked outside her home.

He has outlined his tactics in a book and has promoted theories online claiming a number of other UK terror attacks are hoaxes.

Mr Hibbert told the BBC: “It does sometimes feel like a bit of a weight, so it would be nice to be able to put it to bed and just be able to move on with our lives.”

After the BBC’s investigation, Mr Hall’s YouTube channel was taken down and a market stall from which he promoted his theories closed.

His books and DVDs are still for sale on his website, along with videos about the Manchester Arena attack.

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At the end of last year Mr Hall added a new True Crime section on his website which listed events and high-profile deaths, including the disappearance of Nicola Bulley.

In a statement, Neil Hudgell of Hudgell Solicitors, which represents the Hibberts, said: “We can confirm that proceedings were issued in The High Court on Friday on behalf of Martin and his daughter Eve.

“Those proceedings are for protection from harassment and misuse of private information and include an application for a restraining injunction and damages.

“Mr Richard Hall will shortly be served with papers and will then have an opportunity to formally respond.”

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Dr Hudgell added: “Martin is very determined to shut this individual down from harassing his family and for peddling his outrageous slurs, lies and repugnant views that have caused continuing offence and distress.”

Hudgell Solicitors said that after the conclusion of the Public Inquiry into the attack, its legal teams will be in a position to pursue compensation claims for more than 150 survivors, many of whom have sustained life-changing injuries.

The Hibberts’ case recalls the legal action taken against US conspiracist Alex Jones.

He was ordered to pay almost £1.2billion ($1.5bn) by a US court to families of the US Sandy Hook school shooting after he falsely claimed the attack was faked.

Dr Hudgell said: “Martin can be seen as a pioneering trailblazer for others to follow if they feel so minded.”

Dr Stephanie Alice Baker, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at City University, told Express.co.uk: “This case is significant because it highlights the push for accountability for conspiracy theories contributing to real world harms.

“We’ve seen a similar defamation case recently involving the conspiracy theorist, Alex Jones, following the false claims he made about the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting.”

She added: “The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the proliferation of conspiracy theories online.

“This case highlights the legal ramifications for those promoting unfounded conspiratorial narratives that cause reputational damage.”

Mr Hall has been approached for comment.

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