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Security guard did not approach Manchester Arena suicide bomber out of fear of being branded racist
The security guard working for Showsec, aged 18 at the time of the terror attack told police in a statement read to the inquiry sitting in Manchester: "I felt unsure about what to do.
"It's very difficult to define a terrorist. For all I knew he might well be an innocent Asian male.
"I did not want people to think I am stereotyping him because of his race.
"I was scared of being wrong and being branded a racist if I got it wrong and would have got into trouble.
"It made me hesitant.
"I wanted to get it right and not mess it up by over-reacting or judging someone by their race."
Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, said: "If you were to approach him and he was some innocent kid, people might think you were racist?"
Mr Lawler replied: "Yes."
The Manchester-born bomber, Abedi, 22, dressed all in black and carrying a large, bulky rucksack, was spotted and reported to security at 10.15pm on May 22 2017.
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