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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) | |
| 11.49pm BST | |
| 23:49 | |
| The former Labour minister, Douglas Alexander, has an interesting insight into the deliberations at the highest level of government about raising the threat level: | |
| 1/7 In 2006, when the threat level was raised to 'critical' due to the transatlantic airliner plot, I was the Secy of State for Transport. | |
| 2/7The Security Services had suspects under surveillance (who were subsequently convicted) but we didn't know if there were others at large | |
| 3/7 The Joint Terrorist Assessment Centre therefore made the 'critical' assessment which John Reid, the Home Secretary, and I accepted. | |
| 4/7 I saw for myself during those difficult days the dedication, professionalism, and bravery of those we ask & rely on to keep us safe. | |
| 5/7 They represent the best of public service. Believe me - their concern is public safety. Political calculation doesn't even register. | |
| 6/7 At the moment Ministers, the Police & the Agencies have a difficult & vital set of responsibilities given the Manchester attack. | |
| 7/7 Right now they deserve more than the benefit of the doubt.They deserve our support. There will be time - later - for election arguments | |
| 11.25pm BST | 11.25pm BST |
| 23:25 | 23:25 |
| Manchester United players have dedicated tonight’s Europa League win to the city. | Manchester United players have dedicated tonight’s Europa League win to the city. |
| For Manchester. pic.twitter.com/UgWP5eLQyi | For Manchester. pic.twitter.com/UgWP5eLQyi |
| They beat AFC Ajax 2-0 in the final in Stockholm to win the European trophy on Wednesday. | They beat AFC Ajax 2-0 in the final in Stockholm to win the European trophy on Wednesday. |
| Manchester City also posted a message of defiance and fraternity: | Manchester City also posted a message of defiance and fraternity: |
| pic.twitter.com/Kz89wXt8It | pic.twitter.com/Kz89wXt8It |
| 11.08pm BST | 11.08pm BST |
| 23:08 | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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.” | 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 | Updated |
| at 11.09pm BST | at 11.09pm BST |
| 10.47pm BST | 10.47pm BST |
| 22:47 | 22:47 |
| UK police make seventh arrest | 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. | 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 | 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. Each is in custody and is being questioned by police. There are also reports of relatives of the bomber having been detained by militia in Libya. | As the statement above makes clear, six men and one woman have now been arrested by UK police. Each is in custody and is being questioned by police. There are also reports of relatives of the bomber having been detained by militia in Libya. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.11pm BST | at 11.11pm BST |
| 10.44pm BST | 10.44pm BST |
| 22:44 | 22:44 |
| Father of bomber detained in Libya - reports | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 BST | 10.27pm BST |
| 22:27 | 22:27 |
| 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/a67wABn9YB | Andy 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 BST | 10.24pm BST |
| 22:24 | 22:24 |
| 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 BST | 10.06pm BST |
| 22:06 | 22:06 |
| 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.08pm BST | at 10.08pm BST |
| 9.45pm BST | 9.45pm BST |
| 21:45 | 21:45 |
| 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 BST | 9.39pm BST |
| 21:39 | 21:39 |
| Ministers 'furious' at US leaks | Ministers '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 BST | 9.27pm BST |
| 21:27 | 21:27 |
| Josh Halliday | Josh 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.34pm BST | at 10.34pm BST |
| 9.10pm BST | 9.10pm BST |
| 21:10 | 21:10 |
| 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/FwT02T4mgK | Searches 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.19pm BST | at 9.19pm BST |
| 9.00pm BST | 9.00pm BST |
| 21:00 | 21:00 |
| 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 BST | 8.27pm BST |
| 20:27 | 20:27 |
| Vikram Dodd | Vikram 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.54pm BST | at 8.54pm BST |