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Manchester bombing: three arrested in south Manchester – live updates Manchester bombing: three arrested in south Manchester – live updates
(35 minutes later)
3.01pm BST
15:01
Speaking from Tripoli Abedi senior told AP: “We don’t believe in killing innocents. This is not us.”
He also confirmed that Abedi was in Libya six weeks ago and was planning to go to Saudi Arabia.
2.58pm BST
14:58
Rowena Mason
Downing Street is not commenting on a report out of the US that the bomber’s family warned the UK authorities that he was dangerous. (See 2.23pm.) The Home Office has only said so far that the security services knew of Salman Abedi “up to a point” and Amber Rudd, the home secretary, has declined to elaborate on how he came to be on their radar.
Updated
at 3.00pm BST
2.56pm BST
14:56
Jessica Elgot
Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan police commissioner, has been been meeting Maj Gen Ben Bathurst, the joint military commander of the troops deployed in London, at the Houses of Parliament.
Met police commissioner Cressida Dick and Major General Ben Bathurst CBE arriving in parliament now pic.twitter.com/avQYfoLjF6
Maj Gen Bathurst is joint military commander for London pic.twitter.com/X4lQzvsTyI
It's a brief overview visit to parliament from the commissioner and the major general - soldiers now in place at most gates pic.twitter.com/FHLB5wP8Zx
Updated
at 2.59pm BST
2.54pm BST
14:54
Abedi's father says his son is innocent
Salman Abedi’s father says his son is innocent, the Associated Press reports. He confirmed that police have arrested another of his sons believed to be 23-year-old Ismail Abedi.
BREAKING: Father of alleged Manchester bomber says son is innocent, confirms UK police have arrested a another son.
Updated
at 2.59pm BST
2.50pm BST
14:50
Police believe the bomb-maker is still at large, according to the Manchester Evening News.
BREAKING: Police believe Arena bomb maker is still at large, the M.E.N. can reveal https://t.co/EfFJUD3RWv
Earlier, the BBC’s security correspondent, Frank Gardner, said the the security services think Salman Abedi may have been a “mule” for a bomb made by someone else.
Speaking on Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 show he said: “This was too sophisticated a device for one man, particularly this particular individual, Salman Abedi, to have put together himself. Ergo, somebody did it for them. In other words, he was the mule carrying a device built by somebody else. That person is still at large, so they have got to assume there is the possibility of another attack. Worst-case scenario, this guy is building more devices and lining up more people. Hopefully, that is not the case.”
Updated
at 2.56pm BST
2.44pm BST
14:44
Helen Pidd
More on the Granby Row raid: two Egyptian students from Manchester University have told of being woken up by a loud bang when a city centre flat in their apartment block was raided on Wednesday lunch time.
Amr Elsherbiny, 21, said he was sleeping late in his Granby House flat because he had pulled an all-nighter to study: “It was about 12.30. I heard a loud sound, a bang. It was enough to wake me up.”The fire alarm then went off and he and his friend Youseff Akmal tried to go down the stairs from the fourth floor. They were stopped by uniform police officers on the stairs by the third floor, where the raid is believed to have taken place.They and other residents were not evacuated.
2.38pm BST
14:38
Robert Booth
BBC Radio 5 Live went off air briefly just before 2pm following an evacuation at their Salford studios, Quay House.
However, it appears to have been a false alarm as broadcasting resumed. A 5 Live presenter, Natalie Eve-Williams, tweeted just before 2pm: “My work building is now being evacuated! Stay safe”.
Listeners reported hearing an alarm in the background before the station went off air. By 2.15pm, the presenter Sarah Brett told listeners: “We are back in the studio. All is well.” A spokeswoman said it appeared to have been a false alarm and the BBC was looking into the cause.
False alarm. I will be back on air very soon.
Updated
at 2.58pm BST
2.33pm BST
14:33
“Let’s not fight with each other” said Mohammed Fadeil after being confronted by a man outside Didsbury mosque (see earlier).
Didsbury mosque - 25-yr-old Mohammed Fadeil talking about a tense confrontation. https://t.co/CYT0GK9U4n
2.31pm BST
14:31
There are reports that a female police officer was among those killed in the Manchester bombing. She attended the concert with her husband while off duty. Her husband is reported to be critically ill.
BBC News understands a female police officer was killed in Manchester bombing. She was off duty at the time.
Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins is due to make a statement in the next few minutes.
Waiting for a statement from @gmpolice Chief Constable Ian Hopkins. The force know the identities of all 22 people killed #Manchester @LBC pic.twitter.com/ny0LAzjTZg
Updated
at 2.35pm BST
2.27pm BST
14:27
Alexandra Topping
Mark Taylor, the partner of Jane Tweddle-Taylor – the 12th victim to be named – said she was “a very lovely lady, liked by everybody”.
Taylor, who was away on business to London on Monday evening, described the mother of three daughters as “full of life, very energetic with the children, and going to functions and all sorts of different things – skiing and all those happy times and activities”.
Taylor said Tweddle-Taylor and her friend were waiting for her friend’s daughter when the blast struck.
“She had gone back to pick them up as arranged and they were both waiting in the area where the explosion happened,” he told the BBC. “Unfortunately, Jane didn’t come back.”
Taylor said he had been contacted by Tweddle-Taylor’s daughter and the family began contacting hospitals and were hoping for “good news” before being informed that she had been killed.
He paid tribute to the emergency services and the “unbelievably organised” counselling made available at Manchester City’s Etihad stadium.
“One of the biggest challenges we’ve had is one of my daughters was away travelling in Australia, so we were trying to pick a time to notify her,” he said.
“Some of the counsellors arranged flights for her and her friend to come back, without a second thought.”
Updated
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2.23pm BST2.23pm BST
14:2314:23
It looks as if Amber Rudd’s attempt to stop the American authorities leaking information to journalists about the investigation (see 9.35am) has not been entirely successful. These are from Richard Engel, NBC News’s chief foreign correspondent.It looks as if Amber Rudd’s attempt to stop the American authorities leaking information to journalists about the investigation (see 9.35am) has not been entirely successful. These are from Richard Engel, NBC News’s chief foreign correspondent.
A US intel official tells @nbcnews UK bomber likely "had help" making “big and sophisticated bomb.”A US intel official tells @nbcnews UK bomber likely "had help" making “big and sophisticated bomb.”
A US intel official tells @nbcnews bomber ID’d by bank card in his pocket. Confirmed by facial id.A US intel official tells @nbcnews bomber ID’d by bank card in his pocket. Confirmed by facial id.
A US intel official tells @nbcnews members of bomber's family warned sec officials about him in past, that he was “dangerous.”A US intel official tells @nbcnews members of bomber's family warned sec officials about him in past, that he was “dangerous.”
2.22pm BST2.22pm BST
14:2214:22
The British-Libyan community in Manchester has condemned the attack in the “strongest possible terms”.The British-Libyan community in Manchester has condemned the attack in the “strongest possible terms”.
In a statement it added:In a statement it added:
The perpetrator murdered innocent and defenceless people, including children. This attack was an attack on all of us. Such depraved acts have no basis in Islam. All those responsible for senselessly destroying the lives of innocent people do not deserve to live in our community and should be behind bars. We support the police in bringing the perpetrators to justice, and in protecting the people of Manchester and the rest of the UK.The perpetrator murdered innocent and defenceless people, including children. This attack was an attack on all of us. Such depraved acts have no basis in Islam. All those responsible for senselessly destroying the lives of innocent people do not deserve to live in our community and should be behind bars. We support the police in bringing the perpetrators to justice, and in protecting the people of Manchester and the rest of the UK.
Many members of the British-Libyan community in Manchester are doctors who stand side by side with their colleagues to ensuring that victims and other patients receive the best possible care at this difficult time. We take this opportunity to praise the emergency services for their dedication and efforts.Many members of the British-Libyan community in Manchester are doctors who stand side by side with their colleagues to ensuring that victims and other patients receive the best possible care at this difficult time. We take this opportunity to praise the emergency services for their dedication and efforts.
Most importantly, our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families who have lost loved ones, and the injured.Most importantly, our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families who have lost loved ones, and the injured.
As a community we have lost many hundreds of people who bravely fought and defeated ISIS in Sirte, Libya, only a few months ago, and so we are affected by grief again. We stand together with all Mancunians to keep Manchester safe and strong.As a community we have lost many hundreds of people who bravely fought and defeated ISIS in Sirte, Libya, only a few months ago, and so we are affected by grief again. We stand together with all Mancunians to keep Manchester safe and strong.
2.16pm BST
14:16
Helen Pidd
More on the Granby Row raid in central Manchester.
Chinese student Muye Ti, 23, said he lived next door to the raided flat on the building’s third floor. He heard a “boom” and then looked through the spy hole in his door. He saw what he thought were three or four soldiers, with their faces covered and carrying guns. “I was a little bit scared,” the post-grad mathematical finance student, said.
A short while later the soldiers knocked on his door to tell him the building was safe.
He said he thought a woman lived there but had never met her.
Updated
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2.12pm BST
14:12
Merkel signs book of condolence
The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has signed a book of condolence for the victims of the Manchester attack at the British embassy in Berlin.
In Gedanken bei den Angehörigen der Opfer und den Verletzten: Kanzlerin #Merkel kondoliert in der Britischen Botschaft. #Manchester pic.twitter.com/Rffooidjzi
Updated
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2.07pm BST
14:07
Most people have passed Didsbury mosque, where there is a huge press pack, without comment.
But one man Ian MacIntosh stopped to berate Mohammed Fadeil, a 25-year-old Libyan-born British citizen.
“Youse need to sort this thing out in your community, and put a stop to it,” MacIntosh said pointing at Fadeli. He added: “It could have been my 19-year-old daughter go to that concert.”
Tension outside Didsbury mosque https://t.co/oA9LbsP305
Updated
at 2.13pm BST
2.01pm BST
14:01
12th victim named
Alexandra Topping
“Welcoming, funny and generous” school receptionist Jane Tweddle-Taylor, 51, is the 12th person to be named as a victim of the attack.
Her death was confirmed by colleagues at South Shore academy in Blackpool.
Staff paid tribute to their “bubbly and kind” colleague, who was picking up a friend’s daughter from the Ariana Grande concert on Monday night.
Principal Jane Bailey said:
“We are devastated at this sad news. Jane was a well-loved member of staff and our thoughts are with her friends and family at this terrible time.
“Jane was a truly wonderful friend and colleague to all of us at South Shore academy. As our receptionist, she was in many ways the public face of the school and she represented us amazingly in this role.
“We have received numerous messages of condolences from parents, students, community members and colleagues across Blackpool for which we are very grateful.
“All of them say the same things about our lovely Jane ... bubbly, kind, welcoming, funny, generous ... the list goes on.
“Our thoughts are also with her family at this dreadful time and in particular her three daughters. In our school family and theirs, she is irreplaceable, much loved and will never be forgotten.”
Greater Manchester police say they are “confident” they know the identity of all the 22 people who died in the Manchester Arena suicide bombing. So far the families of only 12 of the victims have named their loved ones. They are:
Jane Tweddle-Taylor, 51
Nell Jones, 14
Martyn Hett, 29
Angelika Klis, 40
Marcin Klis, 42
Georgina Callander, 18
Saffie Rose Roussos, eight
John Atkinson, 28
Kelly Brewster, 32
Olivia Campbell, 15
Alison Howe, 45
Lisa Lees, 47
Updated
at 2.23pm BST
1.53pm BST
13:53
Police continue to search a flat in Granby Row, central Manchester.
Outside flats in Manchester City centre where searches are being carried out in connection to arena bombing. pic.twitter.com/7XJ6fRYRe1
1.49pm BST
13:49
It is not just Amber Rudd who is criticising the US intelligence services for leaking Salman Abedi’s name.
A Democratic member of that Senate foreign relations committee says it’s troubling that allies such as Britain are being forced to question sharing intelligence with US.Asked about the apparently casual way US intelligence sources had shared intelligence about the Manchester attack, Sen Chris Coons, a Democratic member of the senate foreign relations committee told MSNBC:
“Our alliance with the people of Great Britain is one of our closest strongest oldest and our prayers are with them. The families who lost loved ones in Manchester ... We’ve got a very close intelligence and defence partnership with the UK and that news is troubling and it suggests that we have even more close allies who are questioning whether we can be trusted with vital intelligence.
“This is a key part of what keeps us safe, a global network of allies with whom we share intelligence and strategic and planning and defence resources ... I am hearing real questions raised about whether this administration, in particular President Trump understands what it means to treat highly classified intelligence carefully and responsibly.”
1.43pm BST
13:43
Matthew Taylor
Residents at a block of flats in Manchester city centre have been evacuated by heavily armed police and men wearing camouflage gear.
One woman said the fire alarm went off at the Granby Row flats near Piccadilly Station at 12.30 before “police and soldiers” streamed into the building. Speaking on Sky News she said a flat on the third floor had been raided.
Statement - Search at an address in Manchester City Centre as part of the investigation pic.twitter.com/w8swLjUG4i
1.36pm BST
13:36
Chelsea football club have cancelled this weekend’s planned victory parade, designed to celebrate their Premier League title success, after taking security advice in the wake of Monday’s terror attack in Manchester.
Updated
at 2.10pm BST
1.33pm BST
13:33
Sandra Laville
Schoolfriends of the 8-year-old girl killed in the attack wept as they sang Don’t Stop Believing during a special assembly for Saffie Roussos
Chris Upton, the headteacher of Saffie’s school, said the pupils – who are aged 4-11 – and the school were being supported by specialists from the county council. Saffie is the youngest victim in the terrorist bombing to be named. She was at the concert with her mother and sister, who are being treated in hospital.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World at One Upton said Saffie came from a close, loving family. “We cannot imagine what they are going through. It is hard for adults let alone young children to grasp the unfairness and utter randomness of this terrible act,” he said.
“Our job now is to support the children and families to deal with the aftereffects of this traumatic experience.”
He said the children had gathered in the hall at Tarleton community primary school this morning and held a minute’s silence to remember Saffie.
“We came together as a school community. We held a minute’s silence in Saffie’s memory, and we sang Don’t Stop Believing. As you can imagine there were tears from the children and staff but we know together we have to hold on to the love amongst us: we owe that to Saffie and her family.”
Updated
at 1.48pm BST
1.27pm BST
13:27
More on the police raid on a block of flats close to Manchester Piccadilly station.
Residents described how armed police and men clad in balaclavas stormed the Granby House building on Granby Row, in central Manchester.
The railway was briefly closed during the raid, police said.
A Greater Manchester police spokeswoman said: “Officers have this afternoon carried out a search at an address in Manchester city centre as part of the investigation into the horrific incident at Manchester Arena. That search is ongoing. In order to do this safely we briefly closed a railway line, but it has now been reopened.”
Jennifer Williams from the Manchester Evening News is at the scene.
Guy working on a building site nearby saw the raids: 'they were like Robocop man. Came and gone, so fast.'
Neighbour Louise Bolotin says police raided a flat thought to be being rented out on air b&b. Thinks police still in there pic.twitter.com/YuRtcOL57w
Updated
at 1.46pm BST