This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2017/may/24/manchester-arena-bombing-terror-attack-victims-threat-critical-ariana-grande-concert-live-news

The article has changed 44 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
Manchester bombing: officer among dead as police confirm they are investigating 'network' – live updates Manchester bombing: officer among dead as police confirm they are investigating 'network' – live updates
(35 minutes later)
4.11pm BST
16:11
Severin Carrell
Scotland’s chief constable, Phil Gormley, has confirmed the army will not be used immediately to help his force cope with the heightened anti-terrorism alert but said he is keeping infantry support in reserve.
Police Scotland and the Scottish government previously failed to set out their position on using of troops when Theresa May, the prime minister, revealed on Tuesday that the army would be mobilised to provide static guards at high profile sites in London, including the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street.
Other English forces, West Midlands and West Yorkshire, have both announced they also want military aid as part of Operation Temperer. But Scottish police leaders said on Wednesday that would be resisted in Scotland.
Gormley told BBC Radio Scotland’s lunchtime news his force was fully equipped to cope with the critical threat level, because there had been “significant uplift” in armed policing. That included posting armed police at the Scottish FA cup final at Hampden on Saturday and at railway stations and other public venues.
He said using the army to free up police resources was “a sensible contingency”.
It’s been carefully planned for over a number of months and years. We have made the investments here in terms of armed officer numbers, to be able to support that, and we have got very well advanced and detailed plans should we need to move to that position.
Calum Steele, chief executive of the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said it opposed deploying the army. Although the SPF had complained about insufficient armed officer numbers, using troops ran against Scotland’s policing traditions of independence from government and legal accountability.
He said:
There can be no doubt that a civilian police force accountable to the courts and the rule of law and not subject to political influence or direction delivers that.
Regardless of what’s said about military personnel being available under the direction of the chief constable, that doesn’t mean that they’re accountable in the same way as police officers. Military personnel can be directed by a government. The principle is that the military should not be deployed.
Policing is first and foremost a civilian role. Whether you agree or not police officers guarantee fundamental freedoms of citizens.
. When our freedoms & democracy comes under attack it is more vital than ever that rights are safeguarded
. Fully accountable police officers answerable to the law provide those safeguards and whilst not questioning soldiers professionalism
. The undeniable fact is they are subject to political direction and do not come close to the same levels of accountability as police
3.47pm BST
15:47
Jeremy Corbyn plans to relaunch Labour national campaigning with a speech on Friday, PoliticsHome’s Kevin Schofield reports.
BREAKING Jeremy Corbyn tells staff at Labour HQ that local campaigning will resume tomorrow, with the national campaign re-starting Friday.
Jeremy Corbyn will re-start Labour's national campaign with a speech on Friday on democracy, I'm told.
Some Labour candidates have already been engaged in low-level campaigning. Mike Gapes, who is seeking re-election as MP for Ilford South, posted this on Twitter last night.
We must not allow murderous terrorists to undermine our democratic society. I will be resuming political campaigning tomorrow morning.
This morning he explained he was just delivering leaflets today.
Local leafletting. Hustings tonight has been cancelled. https://t.co/6Vcnm5HLJX
Ben Bradshaw, who is seeking re-election as MP for Exeter, has adopted the same approach.
My @UKLabour colleague @MikeGapes right as usual. Tomorrow I'll be out talking to the people of Exeter, as I do most other days of my life. https://t.co/eWHbgK54UP
3.46pm BST
15:46
Here’s the full statement from Hopkins, minus the revealing answers about a “network” at the end.
Latest statement from @ccianhopkins in relation to the incident at the Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/9z0YKnBfEf
3.42pm BST
15:42
Nazia Parveen
The father of Salman Abedi, the Manchester Arena suicide bomber, fought against the Gaddafi regime with a group that was designated a terrorist organisation by the US, according to a man who says he fought alongside him.
Salman Abedi, 22, who was known to the British security services, is thought to have returned from Libya as recently as this week. His parents, who escaped the Gaddafi regime in the early 1990s and fled to the UK, now live in the Libyan city of Tripoli. Their youngest son, Hashmi, is also believed to be with them in Libya.
Abedi was born in Manchester and grew up in a tight-knit Libyan community that was known for its strong opposition to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.
His father, Ramadan Abedi, fought against the Gaddafi regime during the Libyan revolution in 2001 with the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group. The US state department says that elements of LIFG were aligned with Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida, and designated the group a foreign terrorist organisation in 2004.
Ramadan, a security officer, and his wife Samia Tabbal, 50, were both born in Tripoli but appear to have emigrated to London before moving to Whalley Range in south Manchester, where they had lived for at least a decade.
Akram Ramadan, 49, who fought with Ramadan Abedi in the Libyan revolution, said he was passionate about overthrowing a regime that had “displaced thousands of his brethren”.
“It was something we all felt we had to do. Some were more radical than others but we all shared a common cause,” he added.
Salman, who was born in 1994, was the second youngest of four children. The imam at Didsbury mosque last night said that Salman, who wore Islamic dress, had shown him “the face of hate” when he gave a talk warning of the dangers of Islamic State.
Abedi’s older brother, Ismail, 23, had been a tutor at the mosque’s madrassa teaching children the Qur’an. Ismail’s flat, which he shared with his wife, Salha, in Whalley Range was raided hours after the suicide bomb. It is understood Ismail has been arrested.
Abedi went to school locally and in 2014 on to Salford University, where he studied business management before dropping out. His trips to Libya, where his parents returned in 2011 following Gaddafi’s overthrow, are now subject to scrutiny over possible links to jihadis.
Updated
at 3.48pm BST
3.35pm BST3.35pm BST
15:3515:35
Helen PiddHelen Pidd
Adam Prince, a member of the residents’ association in the Granby House block of flats which was raided today, said the property broken into by police had been rented out as an AirBnB. The owner, a woman in her fifties, would be “devastated”, he said. Adam Prince, a member of the residents’ association in the Granby House block of flats which was raided today, said the property broken into by police had been rented out as an Airbnb. The owner, a woman in her 50s, would be “devastated”, he said.
Prince, 38, said there had been recent complaints by residents about a large number of big parcels - at least 10 - delivered to the block and left hanging around in the post room, but said he didn’t know who they were addressed to. They could be unconnected to the raided flat. Prince, 38, said there had been recent complaints by residents about a large number of big parcels – at least 10 – delivered to the block and left hanging around in the postroom, but said he didn’t know who they were addressed to. They could be unconnected to the raided flat.
He said there had been a steady stream of AirBnB guests and didn’t know who had been there most recently. He said there had been a steady stream of Airbnb guests and didn’t know who had been there most recently.
The raided property is number 39. The door had been blown in, said Prince. Police officers and a team of forensics were putting items in evidence bags on Wednesday afternoon. The raided property is number 39. The door had been blown in, said Prince. Police officers and a team of forensics officers were putting items in evidence bags on Wednesday afternoon.
Manchester police chief Ian Hopkins confirmed that a controlled explosion was used to raid a flat in the centre of the city this afternoon. The Manchester police chief, Ian Hopkins, confirmed a controlled explosion was used to raid a flat in the centre of the city this afternoon.
Updated
at 3.42pm BST
3.33pm BST3.33pm BST
15:3315:33
Josh HallidayJosh Halliday
Detectives are investigating a suspected terror cell in connection with the Manchester Arena suicide bombing.Detectives are investigating a suspected terror cell in connection with the Manchester Arena suicide bombing.
Ian Hopkins, the chief constable of Greater Manchester police, said it was “very clear that this is a network that we are investigating” as arrests and armed raids continued across the city.Ian Hopkins, the chief constable of Greater Manchester police, said it was “very clear that this is a network that we are investigating” as arrests and armed raids continued across the city.
The statement is the strongest official confirmation that Salman Adebi, 23, did not act alone when he blew himself up at the end of an Ariana Grande concert on Monday night, killing 22 people including an eight year old girl. The statement is the strongest official confirmation that Salman Adebi, 23, did not act alone when he blew himself up at the end of an Ariana Grande concert on Monday night, killing 22 people including an eight-year-old girl.
There will be further questions for the intelligence agencies if it is confirmed that a Manchester-based terror cell was involved in the planning of the attack, which experts have said would have required sophisticated bomb-making knowledge. There will be further questions for the intelligence agencies if it is confirmed that a Manchester-based terror cell was involved in planning the attack, which experts have said would have required sophisticated bomb-making knowledge.
Speaking outside Greater Manchester Police headquarters on Wednesday afternoon, Hopkins said: “We are carrying out extensive searches at premises across Manchester. Speaking outside Greater Manchester police headquarters on Wednesday afternoon, Hopkins said: “We are carrying out extensive searches at premises across Manchester.
“I think it’s very clear that this is a network that we are investigating and it continues at pace and there’s extensive investigations going on and activity taking place across Greater Manchester.”“I think it’s very clear that this is a network that we are investigating and it continues at pace and there’s extensive investigations going on and activity taking place across Greater Manchester.”
His statement followed three arrests in south Manchester and a dramatic raid involving armed officers in military-style uniform on a city centre apartment block on Wednesday lunchtime. His statement followed three arrests in south Manchester and a dramatic raid involving armed officers in military style uniform on a city centre apartment block at lunchtime on Wednesday .
Updated
at 3.37pm BST
3.30pm BST3.30pm BST
15:3015:30
Here are key points and phrases from that Hopkins press conference.Here are key points and phrases from that Hopkins press conference.
Police are investigating networkPolice are investigating network
Asked if police had found the ‘bomb factory’, he said: “We are carrying out extensive searches across Manchester, but it would be ill-advised of me to comment on the investigation to that detail.” Asked if police had found the “bomb factory”, he said: “We are carrying out extensive searches across Manchester, but it would be ill-advised of me to comment on the investigation to that detail.”
Asked if this is a search for a bomb maker? he said: Asked if this is a search for a bomb-maker, he said:
It is very clear that this is a network that we investigating and as I’ve said it continues at a pace. There’s extensive investigations going on and activity taking place across Greater Manchester as we speak.It is very clear that this is a network that we investigating and as I’ve said it continues at a pace. There’s extensive investigations going on and activity taking place across Greater Manchester as we speak.
Police officer among the deadPolice officer among the dead
Very sadly I can confirm that one of the victims is a serving police officer, but in respecting their family’s wishes, I will make no further comment.Very sadly I can confirm that one of the victims is a serving police officer, but in respecting their family’s wishes, I will make no further comment.
Up to five days to identify all the victimsUp to five days to identify all the victims
Due to number of victims the Home Office post-mortems are likely to take to four to five days. After this we will be in a position to formerly name the victims. Due to number of victims the Home Office postmortems are likely to take four to five days. After this we will be in a position to formally name the victims.
We have spoken to all of the families of those who lay injured in our hospitals.We have spoken to all of the families of those who lay injured in our hospitals.
Four arrests so farFour arrests so far
The level of activity in this investigation is intense and is continuing at a fast pace. We have made three further arrests in connection with attacks overnight. This afternon we entered an address in Manchester city centre using a controlled explosion. The level of activity in this investigation is intense and is continuing at a fast pace. We have made three further arrests in connection with attacks overnight. This afternoon we entered an address in Manchester city centre using a controlled explosion.
Officers are currently at the scene searching that address. In order to execute that entry we did have to close a mainline railway line for a short period.Officers are currently at the scene searching that address. In order to execute that entry we did have to close a mainline railway line for a short period.
That brings the total number in custody to four.That brings the total number in custody to four.
Troops won’t be used in ManchesterTroops won’t be used in Manchester
We have been supported by forces from across the north west and beyond. The military are supporting policing across the country ... this frees up armed police officers to then give the police service capacity to deploy them to places like Manchester as part of plans for keeping the country safe. We have been supported by forces from across the north-west and beyond. The military are supporting policing across the country … this frees up armed police officers to then give the police service capacity to deploy them to places like Manchester as part of plans for keeping the country safe.
There are no military personel controlling the streets of Greater Manchester, nor are there any plans to do so There are no military personel controlling the streets of Greater Manchester, nor are there any plans to do so.
Updated
at 3.39pm BST
3.17pm BST3.17pm BST
15:1715:17
Downing Street has sent out a read-out from the prime minister’s latest calls with world leaders expressing their condolences following the Manchester attack. A No 10 spokesman said:Downing Street has sent out a read-out from the prime minister’s latest calls with world leaders expressing their condolences following the Manchester attack. A No 10 spokesman said:
The prime minister has taken a number of further condolence calls from other world leaders today following Monday’s terrorist attack in Manchester, including Chancellor Merkel, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, the Swedish prime minister Stefan Löfven, and the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.The prime minister has taken a number of further condolence calls from other world leaders today following Monday’s terrorist attack in Manchester, including Chancellor Merkel, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, the Swedish prime minister Stefan Löfven, and the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
Chancellor Merkel called to offer Germany’s condolences and said Germany stands with the UK against terrorism. They agreed the deliberate targeting of children was despicable and that the people of Manchester had shown great spirit in coming together in the wake of the attack.Chancellor Merkel called to offer Germany’s condolences and said Germany stands with the UK against terrorism. They agreed the deliberate targeting of children was despicable and that the people of Manchester had shown great spirit in coming together in the wake of the attack.
King Salman of Saudi Arabia called to offer his condolences and said Saudi Arabia strongly denounces and condemns this brutal terrorist attack which defies all international humanitarian norms. They agreed the UK and Saudi Arabia would continue working closely together to counter terrorism and violent extremism.King Salman of Saudi Arabia called to offer his condolences and said Saudi Arabia strongly denounces and condemns this brutal terrorist attack which defies all international humanitarian norms. They agreed the UK and Saudi Arabia would continue working closely together to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
The Swedish prime minister Stefan Löfven called to express Sweden’s condolences, praising the public response and their determination to carry on as normal.The Swedish prime minister Stefan Löfven called to express Sweden’s condolences, praising the public response and their determination to carry on as normal.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi conveyed his country’s deepest condolences and said India’s prayers were with all of those affected. Prime Minister Modi congratulated the people of Manchester on their courage, patience and spirit. They agreed the UK and India would continue to cooperate closely on counter-terrorism, including aviation security and countering online radicalisation.Indian prime minister Narendra Modi conveyed his country’s deepest condolences and said India’s prayers were with all of those affected. Prime Minister Modi congratulated the people of Manchester on their courage, patience and spirit. They agreed the UK and India would continue to cooperate closely on counter-terrorism, including aviation security and countering online radicalisation.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.19pm BSTat 3.19pm BST
3.14pm BST3.14pm BST
15:1415:14
Police investigating networkPolice investigating network
Hopkins said it was “very clear” that police are investigating “a network” linked to the bomber.Hopkins said it was “very clear” that police are investigating “a network” linked to the bomber.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.19pm BSTat 3.19pm BST
3.13pm BST3.13pm BST
15:1315:13
Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan police commissioner, has been speaking to reporters at the Palace of Westminster, the Guardian’s Jessica Elgot reports. Jessica Elgot
Dick says the Met is "incredibly grateful" for military support while police work to identify any possible attack network Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick joined Major General Benjamin Bathurst, Joint Military Commander for London to speak to troops stationed around the Palace of Westminster.
Dick says there is no time limit on long troops will be here. "As soon as we no longer need them..." “After the terrible events in Manchester, the raising of the threat level to critical, as you know, we have been granted military support,” she said, speaking to reporters in New Palace Yard, where Pc Keith Palmer was murdered during the Westminster terrorist attack just two months ago.
Dick says she "recognises this is different" but Met officers protecting parliament are comfortable with the army support The military are here and a number of locations in London in order to allow us, the police, to put more armed officers on the streets to support the public, and to protect the public and to protect events.
Dick says Met is reviewing event security for what happens over the bank holiday weekend but says as many as possible should run as usual Dick said the Met had carefully considered the message it would send to have armed troops around Westminster, though she said it had been the case during the London Olympics in 2012. “I recognise that this is different and we of course think about that, we think about it carefully,” she said.
I’ve just been talking to my officers - they are very comfortable to have their military colleagues next to them.
I think the vast majority of the public will be utterly reassured to know that we have the ability to call upon and have called upon the military in this way, and actually we now have more armed police officers out on the streets.
Dick, who toured the parliamentary estate with Maj Gen Ben Bathurst, the joint commander of the London military operation, would not specify how long the soldiers would be in place in “static posts”. The commissioner said there was “clearly a number of unknowns” as the situation developed.
As soon as we no longer need our military colleagues, we will be saying so and we hope that the threat level will reduce from critical.
When it does, clearly there will be a de-escalation requirement for military colleagues but I am not going to put a timescale on that.
Updated
at 4.02pm BST
3.11pm BST3.11pm BST
15:1115:11
Here’s a recording of that statement by Hopkins.Here’s a recording of that statement by Hopkins.
3.08pm BST3.08pm BST
15:0815:08
Hopkins said he is confident that all the families of the victims have been spoken to. He confirmed that one of the victims was a police officer, but he gave no more detailsHopkins said he is confident that all the families of the victims have been spoken to. He confirmed that one of the victims was a police officer, but he gave no more details
He said the investigation is continuing at a fast pace.He said the investigation is continuing at a fast pace.
A controlled explosion was used during a raid in central Manchester, he said.A controlled explosion was used during a raid in central Manchester, he said.
3.05pm BST3.05pm BST
15:0515:05
A female officer from Cheshire constabulary died in attack, police sources have confirmed. A female officer from Cheshire constabulary died in the attack, police sources have confirmed.
Updated
at 3.50pm BST
3.03pm BST3.03pm BST
15:0315:03
Chief constable Ian Hopkins is giving a press conference in Manchester. He says no troops will be patrolling Manchester.Chief constable Ian Hopkins is giving a press conference in Manchester. He says no troops will be patrolling Manchester.
We are carrying out extensive searches, he says when asked if police have found the bomb factory.We are carrying out extensive searches, he says when asked if police have found the bomb factory.
3.01pm BST3.01pm BST
15:0115:01
Speaking from Tripoli, Abedi senior told AP: “We don’t believe in killing innocents. This is not us.”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.He also confirmed that Abedi was in Libya six weeks ago and was planning to go to Saudi Arabia.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.06pm BSTat 3.06pm BST
2.58pm BST2.58pm BST
14:5814:58
Rowena MasonRowena 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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.00pm BSTat 3.00pm BST