Brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi has LEFT Britain ahead of appearing at the public inquiry he was ordered to attend after REUSING to answer questions about the atrocity Officials had hoped to force Ismail Abedi to answer questions at the inquiry By James Robinson for MailOnline Published: 10:43 BST, 19 October 2021 | Updated: 10:44 BST, 19 October 2021 Viewcomments The brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi has left the country ahead of his planned appearance at an inquiry into the deadly terror attack, it has today been revealed. Officials had hoped to force Ismail Abedi to attend the inquiry into the 2017 suicide bombing, which claimed the lives of 22 people. But it has now been revealed that Ismail, who previously said he would only give evidence if he could be guaranteed immunity from prosecution, is no longer in the UK. Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, said this morning that Ismail Abedi is 'not currently in the country and there is no indication as to when he will return'. Officials had hoped to force Ismail Abedi to answer questions at the inquiry into the 2017 suicide bombing, which claimed the lives of 22 people. But it has now been revealed that Ismail is no longer in the UK The inquiry was due to hear evidence from Ismail on Thursday, having issued a Section 21 notice compelling him to appear at the hearing. The order was made after Ismail had his bid for immunity from prosecution rejected. He wanted a promise from the Attorney General that in return for answering questions at the public inquiry into the terror attack, his evidence would not 'land him in the dock,' his lawyer told the hearing in Manchester last month. A legal application was made to Sir John Saunders, chairman of the inquiry, asking him to consider making the application to the Attorney General in return for Abedi's co-operation. However in his ruling, made public in June, Sir John refused the application and said allowing immunity to get Abedi to co-operate could outweigh any evidence he gave which might justify charges of murder against him over the deaths in the bombing. The ruling said: 'If as a result of an undertaking from the Attorney General the applicant was to disclose material to the inquiry which provided evidence to justify charges of murder or conspiracy to murder then he could avoid trial for 22 murders and causing serious injury to many more. 'While less serious, if he were to disclose material as a result of the undertaking which evidenced a failure by him to disclose information to the authorities which could have prevented the bombing happening, a failure to prosecute would be considered by many to be a considerable affront to justice.' Lawyers for the families of the 22 people murdered in the May 2017 attack were divided over allowing Abedi immunity to get him to co-operate and answer questions, with others who opposed the move describing it as 'unconscionable'. Currently Ismail Abedi, who is married and lives in Manchester, is refusing to co-operate with the inquiry despite repeated requests, claiming his legal privilege not to incriminate himself. He denies any knowledge or involvement in the bomb plot. Abedi's other brother, Hashem Abedi, was previously found guilty of 22 counts of murder relating to the attack. More to follow... Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility