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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)
6.27pm BST
18:27
Josh Halliday
Hundreds of mourners are paying their respects to victims of the Manchester suicide bombing at a moving vigil in Bury.
Hundreds at vigil in Bury for Olivia Campbell, 15, and John Atkinson, 28, victims of Manchester Arena suicide bombing pic.twitter.com/MFo4ogaKy2
Children from Tottingham high school, where Olivia studied, carried We ❤️ MCR placards, during the service at Whitehead gardens.
The sunlit vigil ended with mourners releasing dozens of pink balloons as town leaders laid wreaths at the clock tower near Bury town hall.
5.53pm BST5.53pm BST
17:5317:53
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
Greater Manchester police (GMP) said of the Wigan arrest: “The man in Wigan was arrested in connection with the attack on Manchester, he had a suspicious package.” Greater Manchester police said of the Wigan arrest: “The man in Wigan was arrested in connection with the attack on Manchester. He had a suspicious package.”
The GMP spokesperson said police were working with the armed forces to make the package safe.The GMP spokesperson said police were working with the armed forces to make the package safe.
The arrest is the fifth in the UK in connection with Monday’s terror attack.The arrest is the fifth in the UK in connection with Monday’s terror attack.
Updated
at 6.01pm BST
5.30pm BST5.30pm BST
17:3017:30
A suspect has been arrested in Wigan in connection with the Manchester suicide bomb attack, Greater Manchester police say.A suspect has been arrested in Wigan in connection with the Manchester suicide bomb attack, Greater Manchester police say.
5.26pm BST5.26pm BST
17:2617:26
A minute’s silence will be held at 11am on Thursday in remembrance of those who lost their lives or were affected by the attack in Manchester, the government announces.A minute’s silence will be held at 11am on Thursday in remembrance of those who lost their lives or were affected by the attack in Manchester, the government announces.
5.26pm BST5.26pm BST
17:2617:26
Cheshire police have confirmed that one of their officers was among those killed in Monday night’s explosion. The off-duty female police officer was reportedly with her husband and two children. The force said:Cheshire police have confirmed that one of their officers was among those killed in Monday night’s explosion. The off-duty female police officer was reportedly with her husband and two children. The force said:
Cheshire police are now in a position to confirm that sadly one of our female officers tragically died while off-duty at the Manchester Arena on Monday 22 May. Unfortunately, we are not able to release any further details at this stage.Cheshire police are now in a position to confirm that sadly one of our female officers tragically died while off-duty at the Manchester Arena on Monday 22 May. Unfortunately, we are not able to release any further details at this stage.
The BBC has reported that the victim’s husband was critically injured in the blast and their two children were also hurt.The BBC has reported that the victim’s husband was critically injured in the blast and their two children were also hurt.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.31pm BSTat 5.31pm BST
5.23pm BST5.23pm BST
17:2317:23
Hashem Abedi picturedHashem Abedi pictured
Nazia ParveenNazia Parveen
This is a picture of Hashem Abedi, the younger brother of the Manchester Arena suicide bomber, Salman. The photograph was released to the Guardian by a family friend.This is a picture of Hashem Abedi, the younger brother of the Manchester Arena suicide bomber, Salman. The photograph was released to the Guardian by a family friend.
Twenty-year-old Hashem was reportedly arrested in Tripoli on suspicion of Islamic State links. He has been living with his parents in the Libyan city.Twenty-year-old Hashem was reportedly arrested in Tripoli on suspicion of Islamic State links. He has been living with his parents in the Libyan city.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.24pm BSTat 5.24pm BST
5.09pm BST5.09pm BST
17:0917:09
Some more details on the reports that the younger brother of the Manchester attacker has been arrested: Reuters says that Ahmed Bin Salem, a spokesman for a local counter-terrorism force known as Rada, has told it that Hashem Abedi, who was born in 1997, was detained on Tuesday evening.Some more details on the reports that the younger brother of the Manchester attacker has been arrested: Reuters says that Ahmed Bin Salem, a spokesman for a local counter-terrorism force known as Rada, has told it that Hashem Abedi, who was born in 1997, was detained on Tuesday evening.
5.02pm BST5.02pm BST
17:0217:02
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
Muslims are “sick of having to apologise and be the first to condemn” terror attacks, a university chaplain has said, amid fears of a spike in Islamophobic attacks in Manchester.Muslims are “sick of having to apologise and be the first to condemn” terror attacks, a university chaplain has said, amid fears of a spike in Islamophobic attacks in Manchester.
Mohammed Ullah, Muslim chaplain at University of Manchester, said he had heard reports of a Muslim girl being spat at and another Muslim person being told to “go home” since Salman Abedi detonated a bomb at Manchester Arena on Monday at the end of an Ariana Grande concert.Mohammed Ullah, Muslim chaplain at University of Manchester, said he had heard reports of a Muslim girl being spat at and another Muslim person being told to “go home” since Salman Abedi detonated a bomb at Manchester Arena on Monday at the end of an Ariana Grande concert.
A mosque in Oldham, in Greater Manchester, was firebombed shortly after the atrocity, which claimed the lives of 22 people and injured nearly 60 others, in an attack police called “vindictive”.A mosque in Oldham, in Greater Manchester, was firebombed shortly after the atrocity, which claimed the lives of 22 people and injured nearly 60 others, in an attack police called “vindictive”.
Ullah said a rise in Islamophobia was common following reports of Islamic fundamentalist attacks worldwide, but was also detected after the referendum on leaving the European Union.Ullah said a rise in Islamophobia was common following reports of Islamic fundamentalist attacks worldwide, but was also detected after the referendum on leaving the European Union.
“We know of a girl who yesterday was spat at. We were told of another Muslim who was told to ‘go home’ early in the morning just after the event surfaced,” he said.“We know of a girl who yesterday was spat at. We were told of another Muslim who was told to ‘go home’ early in the morning just after the event surfaced,” he said.
“We hear reports, but many people are very scared to talk about the problem or they don’t want to cause a fuss. We receive reports but I think incidents are under-reported.”“We hear reports, but many people are very scared to talk about the problem or they don’t want to cause a fuss. We receive reports but I think incidents are under-reported.”
“Islamophobic attacks have increased in the last few years exponentially,” he said.“Islamophobic attacks have increased in the last few years exponentially,” he said.
“I tell Muslim students to report these hate incidents when they happen. Be vigilant against it and don’t allow hate to divide us.”“I tell Muslim students to report these hate incidents when they happen. Be vigilant against it and don’t allow hate to divide us.”
Ullah said he was sick of having to apologise for the crime of another individual. “I say to Muslims, ‘You should not have to apologise for the actions of individuals,’” he said. “No other community has ever been held to account like this.Ullah said he was sick of having to apologise for the crime of another individual. “I say to Muslims, ‘You should not have to apologise for the actions of individuals,’” he said. “No other community has ever been held to account like this.
“Why does the Muslim community have to stand up and say we’re sorry for what this person has done. I can’t answer for the crimes of an individual.“Why does the Muslim community have to stand up and say we’re sorry for what this person has done. I can’t answer for the crimes of an individual.
“Let me be clear – what happened on Monday was a crime of epic proportions. It was epic, evil and one we condemn with the strongest condemnation.“Let me be clear – what happened on Monday was a crime of epic proportions. It was epic, evil and one we condemn with the strongest condemnation.
“But let’s also be clear about this, why do we then have to stand up and say, ‘we apologise’. It’s not my fault. It’s not the fault of the religion.“But let’s also be clear about this, why do we then have to stand up and say, ‘we apologise’. It’s not my fault. It’s not the fault of the religion.
“Islam is a religion of peace and of beauty that teaches followers to be good to all people of any faith or none.“Islam is a religion of peace and of beauty that teaches followers to be good to all people of any faith or none.
“We’re sick of having to apologise and being the first to condemn it. What more can we do?”“We’re sick of having to apologise and being the first to condemn it. What more can we do?”
The attack on the mosque on Villa Road, Oldham, at about 3am on Tuesday came hours after Abedi’s bomb detonated, causing chaos throughout the city. CCTV shows a man walking up to the front door and setting fire to it.The attack on the mosque on Villa Road, Oldham, at about 3am on Tuesday came hours after Abedi’s bomb detonated, causing chaos throughout the city. CCTV shows a man walking up to the front door and setting fire to it.
Hamad Mukhtar Irfani, a committee member at the mosque, told the Manchester Evening News: “It’s absolutely disgusting. It’s a disgrace someone would do this. There is no place for this kind of thing. The suspect is a white man. He was carrying a bottle of accelerant and had a BMX bike.Hamad Mukhtar Irfani, a committee member at the mosque, told the Manchester Evening News: “It’s absolutely disgusting. It’s a disgrace someone would do this. There is no place for this kind of thing. The suspect is a white man. He was carrying a bottle of accelerant and had a BMX bike.
DI Ian Harratt, of Greater Manchester police’s Oldham Borough, said: “In the wake of the atrocities that happened at the Manchester Arena, this man thought it was acceptable to deface and set fire to a local mosque. This behaviour will not be tolerated. We are standing shoulder to shoulder with the community in Oldham and all the people who treasure this mosque as a place of worship.DI Ian Harratt, of Greater Manchester police’s Oldham Borough, said: “In the wake of the atrocities that happened at the Manchester Arena, this man thought it was acceptable to deface and set fire to a local mosque. This behaviour will not be tolerated. We are standing shoulder to shoulder with the community in Oldham and all the people who treasure this mosque as a place of worship.
“We have been working with people in the local community and the council to make sure that people realise there is zero tolerance around vindictive acts of this nature.“We have been working with people in the local community and the council to make sure that people realise there is zero tolerance around vindictive acts of this nature.
“If you recognise the man in the images, or the bike that he used, I’m urging you to please come forward because hate crime will not be tolerated at all in Greater Manchester. Stand up and be counted, you can make a difference in stopping acts like this happening again.”“If you recognise the man in the images, or the bike that he used, I’m urging you to please come forward because hate crime will not be tolerated at all in Greater Manchester. Stand up and be counted, you can make a difference in stopping acts like this happening again.”
5.01pm BST5.01pm BST
17:0117:01
Immediately after the Reuters report that the Manchester attacker’s younger brother was arrested in Libya on suspicion of Islamic State links, the BBC’s security correspondent says:Immediately after the Reuters report that the Manchester attacker’s younger brother was arrested in Libya on suspicion of Islamic State links, the BBC’s security correspondent says:
BBC learns that 2 people reported the #manchesterattack bomber supporting terrorism and suicide attacks 5 years ago and again this year.BBC learns that 2 people reported the #manchesterattack bomber supporting terrorism and suicide attacks 5 years ago and again this year.
Gardner’s report has not been confirmed by the Guardian.Gardner’s report has not been confirmed by the Guardian.
4.55pm BST4.55pm BST
16:5516:55
The BBC is saying it hopes to announce revised dates for the Andrew Neil election interviews tomorrow.The BBC is saying it hopes to announce revised dates for the Andrew Neil election interviews tomorrow.
Neil has already interviewed Theresa May, but interviews with Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon, Tim Farron and Paul Nuttall were also scheduled for this week.Neil has already interviewed Theresa May, but interviews with Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon, Tim Farron and Paul Nuttall were also scheduled for this week.
The @afneil interview with @timfarron WON'T go ahead Wednesday evening and we aim to announce revised times on Thu https://t.co/jZSGCQ1Y2mThe @afneil interview with @timfarron WON'T go ahead Wednesday evening and we aim to announce revised times on Thu https://t.co/jZSGCQ1Y2m
4.53pm BST
16:53
BREAKING: Hashem Abedi, younger brother of Manchester attacker, arrested in Tripoli on suspicion of Islamic State links. pic.twitter.com/JA1hnwuBsT
4.53pm BST
16:53
Steven Morris was in Didsbury at the Manchester Islamic Centre for the statement by trustee Fawzi Haffar. He shot this video:
Opening of Didsbury mosque/Manchester Islamic Centre press conference. https://t.co/bq3z2mnnFv
4.47pm BST
16:47
Henry McDonald
While the terror threat has been ratcheted up throughout the UK after the Manchester attack, with poor timing the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has announced that more than 200 policing posts are to go in the region. George Hamilton, the PSNI boss, said the jobs were being axed because of a £20m cut to the PSNI budget.
Responding to the announcement, the chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, Mark Lindsay, said the cuts were “unacceptable and dangerous”. He said:
This is a frightening prospect. A cut in the size of PSNI strength means dire consequences for levels of service the public has a right to expect.
Station closures, slower response times, low or no visibility on the streets, and all the time we face a terrorist threat rated ‘severe’ and a UK threat raised to ‘critical’ after the appalling Manchester attack.
We’ve been warning that this £20m cut was heading our way and that it would impact very badly. The chief constable is right to set out the challenges, but what he hasn’t told us is how he’s going to cut the frontline workforce. Will we see a slowing down of recruitment or will vacancies caused by departures or retirements go unfilled?
Whatever method is chosen, the fact remains that proposals of this magnitude are unacceptable and dangerous.
Updated
at 4.54pm BST
4.42pm BST
16:42
Corbyn says Labour will resume campaigning because terrorism must not 'derail our democratic process'
Jeremy Corbyn has said that Labour will resume campaigning later this week because terrorism must not “derail our democratic process”. He said:
The British people are united in their resolve that terrorism will not prevail. It will not prevent us going about our daily lives, or derail our democratic process. Resuming democratic debate and campaigning is an essential mark of the country’s determination to defend our democracy, and the unity that the terrorists have sought to attack.
4.41pm BST
16:41
Another victim of Monday’s attack has been named as Michelle Kiss, 45, a mother of three. Her family has released this tribute:
Michelle Kiss was a loving wife to Tony, mother to Dylan, Elliot and Millie, as well as daughter to Mick and Christine and sister to Nichola.
She tragically died during the horrible event that occurred on Monday night.
Family was her life and we are all obviously devastated by her loss. She has been taken away from us, and all that love her, in the most traumatic way imaginable.
We hope to draw from the courage and strength she showed in her life to get through this extremely difficult time.
Updated
at 4.52pm BST
4.36pm BST
16:36
And the Green party are following the main parties in resuming campaigning locally tomorrow, and nationally on Friday, my colleague Peter Walker reports.
Understand that the Greens will also get back to local campaigning tomorrow, with full campaign resuming from Friday.
4.33pm BST
16:33
The Conservatives will resume local campaigning tomorrow, and national campaigning on Friday, my colleague Heather Stewart reports.
Tories will resume local campaign tomorrow, national activity on Friday, I'm told - echoing Labour approach.
4.32pm BST
16:32
Steve White, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, has put out a statement about the deployment of troops to help the police, saying it highlights the need for extra police funding. He said:
As always, the response of emergency workers in the face of adversity has been second to none. The welcome support of the military to free up armed officers and offer public reassurance will no doubt be managed in the same professional, resolute way. But, as welcome as this is, we cannot avoid the reasons it is needed at all. There is no ignoring the fact that we, the police, simply do not have the resources to manage an event like this on our own.
4.28pm BST
16:28
Robert Booth
A senior Muslim community leader in Manchester has said the Manchester Islamic Centre (MIC) has received reports of “anti-Muslim acts” ranging from verbal abuse to acts of criminal damage to mosques.
Fawzi Haffar, a trustee of the MIC in Didsbury, where Salman Abedi, the Manchester Arena bomber is understood to have prayed, said: “We are concerned about reports we are receiving about anti-Muslim acts. These are terrible anti-Muslim acts ranging from verbal abuse to acts of criminal damage to mosques in the area and outside the area. We do encourage any incidents to be reported as a hate crime.”
In a statement read outside the mosque, Haffar said the attack was a “horrific atrocity” and said “this act of cowardice has no place in our religion or any other religion”.
“We encourage anyone who may have information about the person involved to contact the police without any delay.”
He said it was not true that Abedi had worked at the centre and added: “We express concern that a small section of the media are manufacturing stories and making unfounded points.”
Updated
at 4.43pm BST
4.22pm BST
16:22
Helen Pidd
Abedi was a pupil at Burnage Media Arts College (now Burnage Academy), an all- boys school in a deprived part of south Manchester for 11- to 16-year-olds. When he attended, between 2008 and 2011, more than 90% of pupils were from a range of minority ethnic groups and a fifth of students had a refugee background. Results were below the national average.
In a statement, the school confirmed Abedi was an ex-pupil. The headteacher, Ian Fenn, said: “We are a Manchester school. We feel the pain that Manchester feels. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Mancunians against terrorism in all its forms. Our deepest condolences go to all who have been affected by this outrage.”
Updated
at 4.45pm BST