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Manchester attack: government 'furious' at US leaks of forensic photographs – live updates Manchester attack: government 'furious' at US leaks of forensic photographs – live updates
(35 minutes later)
11.08pm BST
23:08
Salman Abedi’s sister, Jomana, believes the Manchester attacker was motivated by revenge for the deaths of Muslims in Syria, the Wall Street Journal reports (£). She told the paper:
I think he saw children - Muslim children - dying everywhere, and wanted revenge. He saw the explosives America drops on children in Syria, and he wanted revenge. Whether he got that is between him and God.
The paper said that Abdul Wahab Hafidah, a friend of Salman Abedi, died in May last year after being run down by a car and then stabbed; an incident Abedi believed to be a hate crime. “I remember Salman at his funeral vowing revenge,” the paper quoted an unnamed Abedi family friend as saying.
Relatives said Salman Abedi became increasingly religious and held increasingly extremist views. A cousin, who the paper said had declined to be identified, said the attacker’s parents worried he was turning towards violence. It quoted the family friend as adding: “We knew he was going to cause trouble. You could see that something was going to happen, sooner or later.”
Updated
at 11.09pm BST
10.47pm BST
22:47
UK police make seventh arrest
Greater Manchester police say they have arrested a man in Nuneaton, in Warwickshire in connection with Monday night’s attack.
Searches carried out in Nuneaton pic.twitter.com/MYzehrc1Jj
As the statement above makes clear, six men and one woman have now been arrested by UK police. There are also reports of relatives of the bomber having been detained by militia in Libya.
Updated
at 10.57pm BST
10.44pm BST
22:44
Father of bomber detained in Libya - reports
Ramadan Abedi, the father of the Manchester bomber, was detained by a Tripoli counterterrorism militia during an interview with Reuters reporters on Wednesday, the news agency says.
Several unmarked vehicles carrying heavily armed Rada forces drove up to the family home in the Tripoli suburb of Ayn Zara and detained him, according to Reuters, which added that the group did not give a reason for the arrest.
Ramadan Abedi had been in the process of defending Salman Abedi, who carried out the Manchester attack, during the interview with the agency’s journalists. Another of Ramadan Abedi’s sons, 20-year-old Hashem, was also arrested by the same force on Wednesday over alleged Islamic State links.
The Associated Press also quoted Ahmed bin Salem, a spokesman for the group, as saying that Ramadan Abedi had been taken into its custody for questioning.
10.27pm BST10.27pm BST
22:2722:27
The voice of Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, is the latest to be added to the criticism directed at US authorities over the leaks. The BBC’s Newsnight reports that he has raised his concerns with the US ambassador.The voice of Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, is the latest to be added to the criticism directed at US authorities over the leaks. The BBC’s Newsnight reports that he has raised his concerns with the US ambassador.
Andy Burnham tells Newsnight he has raised worries about leaks from Manchester terror investigation appearing in US press w US ambassador pic.twitter.com/a67wABn9YBAndy Burnham tells Newsnight he has raised worries about leaks from Manchester terror investigation appearing in US press w US ambassador pic.twitter.com/a67wABn9YB
10.24pm BST10.24pm BST
22:2422:24
My colleagues Heather Stewart, Robert Booth and Vikram Dodd report that Theresa May will confront Donald Trump over the stream of leaks of crucial intelligence about the Manchester bomb attack when she meets the US president at a Nato summit in Brussels on Thursday.My colleagues Heather Stewart, Robert Booth and Vikram Dodd report that Theresa May will confront Donald Trump over the stream of leaks of crucial intelligence about the Manchester bomb attack when she meets the US president at a Nato summit in Brussels on Thursday.
Read their full report here.Read their full report here.
10.06pm BST10.06pm BST
22:0622:06
The National Police Chiefs’ Council has waded into the row over US leaks, saying they undermine police investigations. Its counter-terrorism policing spokesperson said:The National Police Chiefs’ Council has waded into the row over US leaks, saying they undermine police investigations. Its counter-terrorism policing spokesperson said:
We greatly value the important relationships we have with our trusted intelligence, law enforcement and security partners around the world. These relationships enable us to collaborate and share privileged and sensitive information that allows us to defeat terrorism and protect the public at home and abroad.We greatly value the important relationships we have with our trusted intelligence, law enforcement and security partners around the world. These relationships enable us to collaborate and share privileged and sensitive information that allows us to defeat terrorism and protect the public at home and abroad.
When that trust is breached it undermines these relationships, and undermines our investigations and the confidence of victims, witnesses and their families. This damage is even greater when it involves unauthorised disclosure of potential evidence in the middle of a major counter terrorism investigation.When that trust is breached it undermines these relationships, and undermines our investigations and the confidence of victims, witnesses and their families. This damage is even greater when it involves unauthorised disclosure of potential evidence in the middle of a major counter terrorism investigation.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.08pm BSTat 10.08pm BST
9.45pm BST9.45pm BST
21:4521:45
Theresa May will chair a meeting of the government’s emergency committee, Cobra, tomorrow morning, Downing Street has said.Theresa May will chair a meeting of the government’s emergency committee, Cobra, tomorrow morning, Downing Street has said.
9.39pm BST9.39pm BST
21:3921:39
Ministers 'furious' at US leaksMinisters 'furious' at US leaks
The UK government has expressed its anger after photographs apparently showing fragments from the Manchester bomb were leaked to the New York Times. A Whitehall source said:The UK government has expressed its anger after photographs apparently showing fragments from the Manchester bomb were leaked to the New York Times. A Whitehall source said:
We are furious. This is completely unacceptable. These images leaked from inside the US system will be distressing for victims, their families and the wider public. The issue is being raised at every relevant level by the British authorities with their US counterparts.We are furious. This is completely unacceptable. These images leaked from inside the US system will be distressing for victims, their families and the wider public. The issue is being raised at every relevant level by the British authorities with their US counterparts.
The images appeared just hours after the home secretary, Amber Rudd, told the US authorities not to leak information. That came after details about the attack emerged in American media on Tuesday before being confirmed by British police. Rudd had said that she was “irritated” by the early release of Salman Abedi’s name and had made “very clear” to American counterparts that no further leaks should happen.The images appeared just hours after the home secretary, Amber Rudd, told the US authorities not to leak information. That came after details about the attack emerged in American media on Tuesday before being confirmed by British police. Rudd had said that she was “irritated” by the early release of Salman Abedi’s name and had made “very clear” to American counterparts that no further leaks should happen.
The row goes to the heart of the close intelligence-sharing relationship between the transatlantic allies and provides an awkward backdrop to Theresa May’s meeting with the US president, Donald Trump, at the Nato summit in Brussels on Thursday.The row goes to the heart of the close intelligence-sharing relationship between the transatlantic allies and provides an awkward backdrop to Theresa May’s meeting with the US president, Donald Trump, at the Nato summit in Brussels on Thursday.
9.27pm BST9.27pm BST
21:2721:27
Josh HallidayJosh Halliday
The grieving mother of Olivia Campbell, the 15-year-old girl who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack, pleaded “don’t let this beat any of us” in a moving speech at a vigil in Bury on Wednesday afternoon.The grieving mother of Olivia Campbell, the 15-year-old girl who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack, pleaded “don’t let this beat any of us” in a moving speech at a vigil in Bury on Wednesday afternoon.
Charlotte Campbell had to be physically supported by her loved ones as she moved dozens of mourners to tears at the service.Charlotte Campbell had to be physically supported by her loved ones as she moved dozens of mourners to tears at the service.
Speaking after dozens of pink balloons were released in memory of the 22 victims, she said:Speaking after dozens of pink balloons were released in memory of the 22 victims, she said:
From myself, from Paul, Olivia’s step-dad, from Olivia’s dad, who’s not here, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for us. For being here, for giving us your support, for sharing her everywhere.From myself, from Paul, Olivia’s step-dad, from Olivia’s dad, who’s not here, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for us. For being here, for giving us your support, for sharing her everywhere.
This is such a hard time for us. I had to come. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know where to be... I just knew - something told me I had to come here.This is such a hard time for us. I had to come. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know where to be... I just knew - something told me I had to come here.
As a family, we’re united, we’re standing strong. I ask our friends, strangers, relatives to do the same. Please stay together. Don’t let this beat any of us, please. Don’t let my Olivia be a victim.As a family, we’re united, we’re standing strong. I ask our friends, strangers, relatives to do the same. Please stay together. Don’t let this beat any of us, please. Don’t let my Olivia be a victim.
Holding a pink balloon, Christine Beaty said she had known three of the attack’s victims – Lisa Lees and Alison Howe, both from Royton in Oldham, and Olivia. Beaty’s daughter, Leah, 15, was schoolfriends with Olivia and had been friends with Lisa and Alison’s daughters at her previous school in Oldham, she added.Holding a pink balloon, Christine Beaty said she had known three of the attack’s victims – Lisa Lees and Alison Howe, both from Royton in Oldham, and Olivia. Beaty’s daughter, Leah, 15, was schoolfriends with Olivia and had been friends with Lisa and Alison’s daughters at her previous school in Oldham, she added.
Lisa and Alison were best friends who had arrived in the Manchester Arena foyer to pick up their 15-year-old daughters when the bomb went off.Lisa and Alison were best friends who had arrived in the Manchester Arena foyer to pick up their 15-year-old daughters when the bomb went off.
“It’s just absolutely devastating. I can’t take it in,” she said. “Everybody’s coming together, it’s lovely, we’ll be praying for them all here just as we will at Oldham on Friday.”“It’s just absolutely devastating. I can’t take it in,” she said. “Everybody’s coming together, it’s lovely, we’ll be praying for them all here just as we will at Oldham on Friday.”
Beaty said her daughter had been “quite badly” affected by the triple tragedy. “I don’t think it’s really hit her properly but obviously it’s had a major effect.Beaty said her daughter had been “quite badly” affected by the triple tragedy. “I don’t think it’s really hit her properly but obviously it’s had a major effect.
The two mums had gone to pick their daughters at the concert. The two daughters made it home. They’ve just sort of shut theirselves away – it’s just so difficult but it’s amazing how so many people have come together.The two mums had gone to pick their daughters at the concert. The two daughters made it home. They’ve just sort of shut theirselves away – it’s just so difficult but it’s amazing how so many people have come together.
No matter where you are, there’s someone that’s been affected. They either knew their daughters, or their sons, or parents. I don’t think anyone’s not been affected by it to be honest.No matter where you are, there’s someone that’s been affected. They either knew their daughters, or their sons, or parents. I don’t think anyone’s not been affected by it to be honest.
She said Alison and Lisa had been inseparable as friends:She said Alison and Lisa had been inseparable as friends:
They just never stopped laughing. They were best friends because their children were best friends with Leah [her daughter]. We had 12 months where we were all together every weekend, planning for a carnival, doing fundraising events – they used to go to our church.They just never stopped laughing. They were best friends because their children were best friends with Leah [her daughter]. We had 12 months where we were all together every weekend, planning for a carnival, doing fundraising events – they used to go to our church.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.34pm BSTat 10.34pm BST
9.10pm BST9.10pm BST
21:1021:10
More details from my colleague Frances Perraudin at the scene about the arrest in Blackley.More details from my colleague Frances Perraudin at the scene about the arrest in Blackley.
Police raided a tower block in Blackley, north Manchester, at around 18.45pm this evening.Police raided a tower block in Blackley, north Manchester, at around 18.45pm this evening.
Searches carried out in Blackley pic.twitter.com/FwT02T4mgKSearches carried out in Blackley pic.twitter.com/FwT02T4mgK
The area around the block of flats, called Somerton Court, has been cordoned off by police and residents are not being allowed to leave – though some residents in neighbouring blocks are being let over the police tape to return to their flats.The area around the block of flats, called Somerton Court, has been cordoned off by police and residents are not being allowed to leave – though some residents in neighbouring blocks are being let over the police tape to return to their flats.
Peter Quinn, 61, who lives on the top floor of the block opposite came to the window when he heard a bang. He saw scores of armed police and police dogs entering the flat, and then a woman wearing a black and white top and black trousers being led away in handcuffs.Peter Quinn, 61, who lives on the top floor of the block opposite came to the window when he heard a bang. He saw scores of armed police and police dogs entering the flat, and then a woman wearing a black and white top and black trousers being led away in handcuffs.
James Mooney, 27, was on the phone to his sister Louise, who lives in the block, when he heard the bang and the line went dead. He had not managed to get in contact with her an hour later, but his father John said police had suggested there was nothing to worry about.James Mooney, 27, was on the phone to his sister Louise, who lives in the block, when he heard the bang and the line went dead. He had not managed to get in contact with her an hour later, but his father John said police had suggested there was nothing to worry about.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.19pm BSTat 9.19pm BST
9.00pm BST9.00pm BST
21:0021:00
A woman has been arrested in connection with the Manchester Arena suicide bombing following an armed raid on a block of flats in Blackley, in the north of the city, Greater Manchester police have said.A woman has been arrested in connection with the Manchester Arena suicide bombing following an armed raid on a block of flats in Blackley, in the north of the city, Greater Manchester police have said.
8.27pm BST8.27pm BST
20:2720:27
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
The move to a “critical” threat level will mean extra checks at ports, Britain’s top counter-terrorism officer said, and security is also being urgently reviewed at all key sites and for every major event. The Met’s assistant commissioner, Mark Rowley, said:The move to a “critical” threat level will mean extra checks at ports, Britain’s top counter-terrorism officer said, and security is also being urgently reviewed at all key sites and for every major event. The Met’s assistant commissioner, Mark Rowley, said:
The increase in threat level may mean additional police and security checks at ports, airports and rail stations, which may cause disruption to journeys. Passengers should plan in advance and allow extra time to travel where possible.The increase in threat level may mean additional police and security checks at ports, airports and rail stations, which may cause disruption to journeys. Passengers should plan in advance and allow extra time to travel where possible.
We are urgently reviewing security of all key sites and major upcoming events over the coming days and weeks as a precautionary measure. Specialist officers and protective security experts continue to work with organisers around having appropriate security measures in place.We are urgently reviewing security of all key sites and major upcoming events over the coming days and weeks as a precautionary measure. Specialist officers and protective security experts continue to work with organisers around having appropriate security measures in place.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.54pm BSTat 8.54pm BST
8.14pm BST
20:14
A block of flats in Blackley, north Manchester, has been surrounded by police. Residents are not being allowed to leave. #Manchester pic.twitter.com/DD5GYw7fpr
7.59pm BST
19:59
Helen Pidd
A mum has described how she saw the man arrested in Wigan shortly before he was wrestled to the ground by armed policemen.
Cheryl Davies, 40, was picking her children up from school at 3.20pm when she saw the man she later recognised as the Wigan suspect. “I only noticed him because he looked drunk, or not quite with it. I was thinking, ‘what sort of place do we live in with people wandering around like that?’ He seemed under the influence of something.” He had short hair and looked to be in his 20s, she added.
When she returned from school their street and surrounding roads were cordoned off.
Her son Josh Round, 15, later watched the police bomb squad circle around a red parcel dropped by the arrested man. “I thought it looked like a pizza bag – one of those bags pizzas are delivered in,” he said.
Updated
at 8.05pm BST
7.42pm BST
19:42
Rajeev Syal
Theresa May was repeatedly told that cuts to community policing could harm Greater Manchester police’s ability to combat crimes such as terrorism, according to the force’s former police commissioner.
Tony Lloyd, the Labour police commissioner who stood down from a five-year tenure on 9 May, said he “constantly” raised the issue of cuts to police numbers and told the then home secretary that it could cut off a flow of intelligence from local communities.
Lloyd told the Guardian:
The issue [of resources] has certainly been raised with government around counter-terrorism. You begin and end with any form of policing – whether it’s combating organised crime or terrorism with community policing.
I constantly raised the issue of resources with the home secretary to stop the cuts. The response that May has always given is that crime has gone down.
Updated
at 7.56pm BST
7.31pm BST
19:31
Chris Stephen
Libya’s Rada Deterrence Force, which announced the arrest in Tripoli on Wednesday of the brother of Manchester bomber Salman Abedi, is arguably the capital’s most powerful militia.
Led by charismatic commander, Abdulrauf Kara, it is Salafist in character, seeking to enforce Islamic codes banning drink and drugs, but is fiercely opposed to Isis, terrorist groups, and many rival militias.
Formed from militiamen who battled against Gaddafi in the 2011 Arab spring, it operates as a self-appointed police force, raiding drug gangs and migrant smugglers’ safe-houses and periodically skirmishing with rival militias.
More organised than other militias, it has a command structure and brings suspects before the courts, earning grudging respect from many Tripolitanians. It has won popular support by tackling the capital’s spate of kidnappings, staging raids to free hostages held by rival militias and posting video of the kidnappers’ confessions online.
Rada is formally linked to the interior ministry but, in practice, it runs its own operations, choosing when to cooperate with the UN-backed government which lacks any security force of its own. Critics complain Rada is not answerable to governing authorities, while supporters say it provides a semblance of law in a lawless city.
Kara styles himself as a political pragmatist, telling the New York Times last year that many Libyans might support the return of the monarchy, abolished by Gaddafi in 1969, as a “viable solution” if it brought order to the country’s chaos.
Updated
at 7.41pm BST
7.28pm BST
19:28
Helen Pidd
People in the Swinley area of Wigan, near the town centre, have been describing the drama when Greater Manchester police made their fifth arrest in the Manchester terror investigation this afternoon.
Soufiane Hamadou, who owns the Fat Olive restaurant on Upper Dicconson Street, said he saw a dozen plain clothed armed police officers swoop on the road shortly before 3pm.
I was upstairs in the office and heard all this screaming and shouting and saw three unmarked officers in balaclavas with machine guns wrestling a guy to the ground.
They had turned up in unmarked cars: two BMWs, an Audi, a Mercedes van. I don’t know who the man was, I’ve never seen him before. But a taxi driver I was talking to said he knew him said he was a local guy and didn’t mean any trouble.
He said the man dropped a red bag which was later examined by a man in a white forensic suit. “It was a bit scary,” said Hamadou. “But I’m 53. I can handle it.” Surrounding streets were cordoned off for several hours while detectives gathered evidence. The cordon was lifted shortly after 7pm.
Updated
at 7.49pm BST
7.18pm BST
19:18
Jamie Grierson
In the shadow of the statue of Richard Cobden in St Ann’s Square in the heart of Manchester, members of a range of faiths held hands and paused for a moment in silence to reflect on the atrocity that shook the city less than half a mile away.
In front of hundreds of floral tributes and candles placed at the base of the statue, the Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, and imam Irfan Chishti, of Manchester Central mosque, were among religious figures who joined crowds of Mancunians to express their unity.
Multi-faith vigil in St Ann's square. Religious leaders came together to pay tribute to victims of arena bombing. pic.twitter.com/clGPQ3sElD
Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, led the brief service, which brought some to tears, as he asked the crowd to raise and hold their hands to “send a positive image” of Manchester. “Let’s show solidarity and send a message to the world,” he said.
Walker told the crowd:
I don’t think I’ve ever been as sad for my city of Manchester as I was first thing yesterday morning when I woke to the news of the attack on Monday night.
I don’t think I’ve ever been as proud of my city of Manchester as I was 12 hours later, yesterday in the evening, when we held the huge vigil in Albert Square.
In the crowd was Ali Wasim, from Manchester, clutching a banner that read “love for all hatred for none”.
Ali Wasim (r) at multi-faith vigil: "We're standing here to shout out message that peace and love and loyalty to the country is important." pic.twitter.com/vWcSmU1qDj
Wasim told the Guardian:
We’re here to support the victims of the attacks. It’s an atrocity at every level. As Muslims it’s our responsibly to look after our individuals. It’s also propagated by the religion of peace.
We’re here to shout out the message that peace and love and loyalty to the country are very important.
Gulnar Bano Khan Qadri, 49, from Manchester, dressed in a Union Jack headscarf, which she said was “appropriate for the occasion”.
"I'm Mancunian. I'm from Manchester... I wanted to do whatever I can." - Gulnar Bano Khan Qadri at multi-faith vigil. pic.twitter.com/cD5MDB0K8Z
“I’m Mancunian, I’m from Manchester. I’m so proud of my community. I felt anxiety straight away,” she said of the aftermath of the bombing that claimed 22 lives. “Then I just felt for the children. I felt as if they were my children. When you’ve been a part of a community so long every person feels like your family.”
Updated
at 7.26pm BST
7.11pm BST
19:11
Steven Morris
An update on that statement from the Manchester Islamic Centre, which Abedi and members of his family attended, has called on anyone with information about the attack to go to the police.
The centre and mosque in Didsbury tried to distance itself from Abedi, insisting that he had never worked there and claimed some media organisations had manufactured stories about his links with the mosque and the centre.
The statement was preceded by a minute’s silence. The director of the centre’s trustees, Mohammad el-Khayat said the centre’s thoughts were with the victims, their family, friends and with “diverse communities across Greater Manchester”.
The horrific atrocity that occurred in Manchester on Monday night has shocked us all. This act of cowardice has no place in our religion or any other religion.
We encourage anyone who may have information about the individual involved to contact the police without any delay so they can assist with their investigation.
The Manchester Islamic Centre is a public venue and we welcome thousands of attendees and I do mean thousands – Muslims and non-Muslims. This happens every week.
This centre has been part of our fine and great city and the Didsbury community. This has been going on since the 1960s. The doors of this centre are open to all. They are open to all.
As a centre, we serve all people from all backgrounds and faiths from our food and clothes banks to all our inter-faith dialogues.
Some media reports have reported that the bomber worked at the Manchester Islamic Centre. This is not true. I assure everyone. This bomber has never worked in this centre.
We express concern that a very small section of the media are manufacturing stories and making unfounded points.
We are concerned about reports we are receiving about terrible anti-Muslim acts ranging from verbal abuse to acts of criminal damage to mosques in the area and outside. We encourage any incidents to be reported as a hate crime.
The Manchester Islamic Centre would like to thank this opportunity to thank the police and emergency services as well as ordinary people including taxi drivers, take-aways, restaurants mosques, hotels, home owners, who provided assistance in the immediate aftermath of this atrocity.
Manchester is a city with a great history and a prosperous and bright future. The Manchester Islamic Centre is proud to be part of this great city of Manchester.
7.09pm BST
19:09
The force that claims to have detained Hashem Abedi, the younger brother of the Manchester bomber, have released an image they say shows him in custody.
7.02pm BST
19:02
Ariana Grande’s management have released a statement saying her tour has been suspended.
Due to the tragic events in Manchester, the Dangerous Woman tour with Ariana Grande has been suspended until we can further assess the situation and pay our proper respects to those lost.
They say that includes the planned concerts at London’s O2 arena this week, as well as all others until the one planned for 5 June in Switzerland.
We ask at this time that we all continue to support the city of Manchester and all those families affected by this cowardice and senseless act of violence. Our way of life has once again been threatened but we will overcome this together. Thank you.
6.50pm BST
18:50
Details of bomb thought to have been used in Manchester released
The New York Times has just released a series of images it says show components of the bomb used in the Manchester attack and suggests it was a sophisticated, powerful device.
The paper says that preliminary analysis of the device by British authorities suggests it was a powerful explosive that was carried in a “lightweight metal container concealed either within a black vest or a blue Karrimor backpack”. It adds that the bomber is thought to have “held a small detonator in his left hand”.
Images published by the paper – the source and provenance of which are unknown – suggest that nuts and screws were used as shrapnel. The paper reports:
And a review of the location of those killed shows most of the fatalities occurred in a nearly complete circle around the bomber, Salman Abedi, whose upper torso was heaved outside the lethal ring toward the Manchester Arena entrance.
All of these are indicators of a powerful, high-velocity charge, and of a bomb in which its shrapnel was carefully and evenly packed ...
The authorities found a mangled Yuasa 12-volt, 2.1-amp lead acid battery at the scene, which is more powerful than batteries often seen in backpack bombs or suicide vests. The battery, used for emergency lighting and other applications, can be bought for about $20.
The apparent detonator, which British law enforcement officials said was carried in the bomber’s left hand, is also unusual for a manual detonator in a suicide device, in that it appears to have contained a small circuit board soldered inside one end.
It is not clear from the law enforcement images if the object was a simple plunger switch, or included a timer or a receiver that could be operated remotely via radio signal – or some combination.
Updated
at 7.49pm BST