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Manchester attack: police chief pays tribute to officer Elaine McIver - latest Manchester attack: police chief pays tribute to officer Elaine McIver - latest
(35 minutes later)
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Theresa May has said she will be telling Nato allies that the Manchester attack underlines the need for the alliance to do more in the fight against terrorism.
Arriving in Brussels for a summit with other Nato leaders, she said:
That attack, I think, shows why it is important for the international community including Nato to do more in our fight against terrorism and that is what I am going to be pushing for today.
I am also going to be pushing the UK’s agenda on burden-sharing and we are proud, as the UK, that we meet the target of spending 2% of our GDP on defence and 20% of our defence budget on equipment.
And other nations must be prepared to take responsibility and that includes more investment in defence.
May also had more to say on the leaks by US intelligence agencies:
On the issue of the intelligence-sharing with the USA, we have a special relationship with the USA, it is our deepest defence and security partnership that we have.
Of course, that partnership is built on trust. And part of that trust is knowing that intelligence can be shared confidently and I will be making clear to President Trump today that intelligence that is shared between law enforcement agencies must be shared securely.
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Five children and five adults in critical care
Haroon Siddique
Prof Bob Pearson, director of Central Manchester University hospitals, has said 18 adults and 14 children remain in hospital. Five children and five adults remain in critical care.
He said the medics were dealing with “complex blast injuries” and some patients would need reconstructive injury.
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NYT defends decision to publish crime scene photographsNYT defends decision to publish crime scene photographs
The New York Times has defended its decision to publish crime scene photographs of the Manchester bombing.The New York Times has defended its decision to publish crime scene photographs of the Manchester bombing.
Images, suspected to have been sent to the paper by US police officials, caused outrage when they surfaced on Wednesday and led to a spat between the country and British authorities. The New York Times said in a statement:Images, suspected to have been sent to the paper by US police officials, caused outrage when they surfaced on Wednesday and led to a spat between the country and British authorities. The New York Times said in a statement:
“The images and information presented were neither graphic nor disrespectful of victims, and consistent with the common line of reporting on weapons used in horrific crimes. The images and information presented were neither graphic nor disrespectful of victims, and consistent with the common line of reporting on weapons used in horrific crimes.
“We have strict guidelines on how and in what ways we cover sensitive stories. Our coverage of Monday’s horrific attack has been both comprehensive and responsible.” “We have strict guidelines on how and in what ways we cover sensitive stories. Our coverage of Monday’s horrific attack has been both comprehensive and responsible.
Among the material released was images of the bomb’s detonator, the attacker’s tattered backpack and remnants of the blast’s shrapnel. Among the material released were images of the bomb’s detonator, the attacker’s tattered backpack and remnants of the blast’s shrapnel.
The leak of the photographs came after Home Secretary Amber Rudd publicly rebuked US authorities for unauthorised leaks. The leak of the photographs came after the home secretary, Amber Rudd, publicly rebuked US authorities for unauthorised leaks.
Following the publication of the New York Times’s story, Greater Manchester Police temporarily severed information-sharing ties with their American counterparts. Following the publication of the New York Times’s story, Greater Manchester police temporarily severed information-sharing ties with their American counterparts.
A furious response from counter-terror chiefs was also issued after the story was released, saying such releases “undermine our investigations”.A furious response from counter-terror chiefs was also issued after the story was released, saying such releases “undermine our investigations”.
Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said the photographs had “caused much distress for families that are already suffering terribly with their loss”. Manchester’s chief constable, Ian Hopkins, said the photographs had “caused much distress for families that are already suffering terribly with their loss”.
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Cheshire chief constable Simon Byrne has paid tribute to Elaine McIver, a 43-year-old detective constable with the force, who was killed in the blast while off duty. He said: The Cheshire chief constable, Simon Byrne, has paid tribute to Elaine McIver, a 43-year-old detective constable with the force, who was killed in the blast while off duty. He said:
“It is with a heavy heart that I have to speak about the loss of a serving officer of ours in the Manchester Arena terrorist incident and all our thoughts are with her family at this time. It is with a heavy heart that I have to speak about the loss of a serving officer of ours in the Manchester Arena terrorist incident and all our thoughts are with her family at this time.
“Detective Constable Elaine McIver, 43, joined the constabulary as a special 20 years ago and became a regular officer in September 1998. Detective Constable Elaine McIver, 43, joined the constabulary as a special 20 years ago and became a regular officer in September 1998.
“Elaine worked in Ellesmere Port, Warrington and in the economic crime unit at headquarters in Winsford before moving to the regional organised crime unit Titan in 2013. Elaine worked in Ellesmere Port, Warrington and in the economic crime unit at headquarters in Winsford before moving to the regional organised crime unit Titan in 2013.
“Friends who knew her well have described her as big hearted, bubbly and a positive person. We are supporting her family at this very difficult time, and will be providing support for friends and colleagues from the constabulary as we come to terms with the loss of an officer in such tragic and heart-rending circumstances. We will not let evil win.” Friends who knew her well have described her as big hearted, bubbly and a positive person. We are supporting her family at this very difficult time, and will be providing support for friends and colleagues from the constabulary as we come to terms with the loss of an officer in such tragic and heart-rending circumstances. We will not let evil win.
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Armed police on trainsArmed police on trains
Armed police officers are patrolling on board trains nationwide for the first time, British Transport Police have announced.Armed police officers are patrolling on board trains nationwide for the first time, British Transport Police have announced.
The move is aimed to “disrupt and deter criminal activity” on the rail network after the UK terror threat level rose to critical in the wake of the attack.The move is aimed to “disrupt and deter criminal activity” on the rail network after the UK terror threat level rose to critical in the wake of the attack.
Armed officers have been patrolling on the London Underground network since December, but this is the first time they will travel on trains outside the capital.Armed officers have been patrolling on the London Underground network since December, but this is the first time they will travel on trains outside the capital.
The force urged passengers not to be alarmed by their presence.The force urged passengers not to be alarmed by their presence.
The BTP chief constable, Paul Crowther, said: “Since the devastating events in Manchester on Monday evening, our force has radically increased the presence of our officers nationwide. By having firearms officers on board trains we’re ensuring that trains remain as safe as possible for passengers.”The BTP chief constable, Paul Crowther, said: “Since the devastating events in Manchester on Monday evening, our force has radically increased the presence of our officers nationwide. By having firearms officers on board trains we’re ensuring that trains remain as safe as possible for passengers.”
He added: “It is important to note that we do not have any specific intelligence in relation to train services but are taking this action to ensure we can protect and reassure the public.”He added: “It is important to note that we do not have any specific intelligence in relation to train services but are taking this action to ensure we can protect and reassure the public.”
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Last victim namedLast victim named
Sandra LavilleSandra Laville
The last of the 22 victims has been named as 15-year-old Megan Hurley, from Halewood in Liverpool.The last of the 22 victims has been named as 15-year-old Megan Hurley, from Halewood in Liverpool.
Megan is one seven girls killed in the attack. Her brother was seriously injured. Megan is one of seven girls killed in the attack. Her brother was seriously injured.
Megan, a pupil at Halewood Academy, was remembered in a church service this week. Helen McDermott, who lives in the area, has set up a Just Giving page for her family, which has raised more than £6,000. Megan, a pupil at Halewood academy, was remembered in a church service this week. Helen McDermott, who lives in the area, has set up a JustGiving page for her family, which has raised more than £6,000.
She said: “People locally thought it would be a good idea to try and help her family, there has been a lot of sympathy and support throughout the community for them. We are overwhelmed by how much has been donated.” She said: “People locally thought it would be a good idea to try and help her family. There has been a lot of sympathy and support throughout the community for them. We are overwhelmed by how much has been donated.”
She said the family had been contacted to let them know the fundraising was going on. Megan’s parents, who run a shop in Halewood, are understood to be at their son’s bedside as he recovers from the blast.She said the family had been contacted to let them know the fundraising was going on. Megan’s parents, who run a shop in Halewood, are understood to be at their son’s bedside as he recovers from the blast.
The identities of all of the 22 people known to have been killed in the blast have now been named. They are: All 22 people known to have been killed in the blast have now been named. They are:
Megan Hurley, 15Megan Hurley, 15
Courtney Boyle, 19Courtney Boyle, 19
Philip Tron, 32Philip Tron, 32
Elaine McIlver, 43 Elaine McIver, 43
Liam Curry, 19Liam Curry, 19
Wendy Fawel, 50 Wendy Fawell, 50
Eilidh MacLeod, 14,Eilidh MacLeod, 14,
Michelle Kiss, 45Michelle Kiss, 45
Olivia Campbell, 15Olivia Campbell, 15
Martyn Hett, 29Martyn Hett, 29
Kelly Brewster, 32Kelly Brewster, 32
Saffie Rose Roussos, eightSaffie Rose Roussos, eight
Georgina Callander, 18Georgina Callander, 18
John Atkinson, 28John Atkinson, 28
Alison Howe, 45Alison Howe, 45
Lisa Lees, 47Lisa Lees, 47
Angelika Klis, 40Angelika Klis, 40
Marcin Klis, 42Marcin Klis, 42
Nell Jones, 14Nell Jones, 14
Jane Tweddle-Taylor, 51Jane Tweddle-Taylor, 51
Sorrell Leczkowski, 14Sorrell Leczkowski, 14
Chloe Rutherford, 17Chloe Rutherford, 17
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In the wake of the Manchester attack, Aaron Zelin a research fellow at the Washington Institute, an influential rightwing foreign affairs thinktank in the US, calls on the west to refocus its battle against Islamic State on Libya. In the wake of the Manchester attack, Aaron Zelin, a research fellow at the Washington Institute, an influential rightwing foreign affairs thinktank in the US, calls on the west to refocus its battle against Islamic State on Libya.
He writes:He writes:
Leading up to the Manchester operation, IS [Isis] in Libya began showing signs that it had larger aspirations for attacks inside Europe. According to German officials, Tunisian terrorist Anis Amri, who conducted the December truck attack against a Berlin Christmas market, had been in contact with IS operatives in Libya via the messaging application Telegram prior to the incident, suggesting it was partially remote-controlled, though not fully directed from there. This discovery spurred a mid-January US airstrike against two camps belonging to an IS planning cell south of Sirte, which American officials believed had been set up recently to direct attacks in Europe. Yet the Manchester attack suggests that the group’s external operations capacity in Libya might not be fully degraded.Leading up to the Manchester operation, IS [Isis] in Libya began showing signs that it had larger aspirations for attacks inside Europe. According to German officials, Tunisian terrorist Anis Amri, who conducted the December truck attack against a Berlin Christmas market, had been in contact with IS operatives in Libya via the messaging application Telegram prior to the incident, suggesting it was partially remote-controlled, though not fully directed from there. This discovery spurred a mid-January US airstrike against two camps belonging to an IS planning cell south of Sirte, which American officials believed had been set up recently to direct attacks in Europe. Yet the Manchester attack suggests that the group’s external operations capacity in Libya might not be fully degraded.
Therefore, while most of the focus has been on eliminating key IS external operations personnel in Syria over the past two years, a similar approach should now be taken against the smaller but potentially dangerous cadre in Libya. Beyond protecting Europe, US and EU officials should also ensure that their allies in east and West Africa are prepared to handle returnees from Libya. Moreover, if the Manchester attack is definitively tied to IS cells in Libya, it would show that the group can still be a lethal actor even without holding territory there – an important point to consider when planning for life after the fall of the group’s “capitals” in Iraq and Syria.Therefore, while most of the focus has been on eliminating key IS external operations personnel in Syria over the past two years, a similar approach should now be taken against the smaller but potentially dangerous cadre in Libya. Beyond protecting Europe, US and EU officials should also ensure that their allies in east and West Africa are prepared to handle returnees from Libya. Moreover, if the Manchester attack is definitively tied to IS cells in Libya, it would show that the group can still be a lethal actor even without holding territory there – an important point to consider when planning for life after the fall of the group’s “capitals” in Iraq and Syria.
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Sandra LavilleSandra Laville
Fundraising pages set up for the families of those killed in the Manchester attack have raised more than £2.3m in an outpouring of compassion for victims, JustGiving has said.Fundraising pages set up for the families of those killed in the Manchester attack have raised more than £2.3m in an outpouring of compassion for victims, JustGiving has said.
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Downing Street has put out video of those comments by Theresa May in which she pledges to take up the issue of shared intelligence with Donald Trump. Intelligence must remain secure, she said. Downing Street has put out video of the comments by Theresa May in which she pledges to take up the issue of shared intelligence with Donald Trump. Intelligence must remain secure, she said.
The Prime Minister has made a statement following the latest COBR meeting on the terrorist attack in Manchester. pic.twitter.com/kY4pID6ffGThe Prime Minister has made a statement following the latest COBR meeting on the terrorist attack in Manchester. pic.twitter.com/kY4pID6ffG
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Haroon SiddiqueHaroon Siddique
Here is a video of the Queen’s visit to Royal Manchester children’s hospital, where 12 children under 16 were taken after the attack. She described the bombing as “very wicked”.Here is a video of the Queen’s visit to Royal Manchester children’s hospital, where 12 children under 16 were taken after the attack. She described the bombing as “very wicked”.
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Investigation leaks 'reprehensible' - acting ambassadorInvestigation leaks 'reprehensible' - acting ambassador
Haroon SiddiqueHaroon Siddique
Lew Lukens, the chargé d’affaires at the US embassy in London and also the acting ambassador, has unequivocally condemned the leaks regarding the investigation into Monday’s attack that have come from the US.Lew Lukens, the chargé d’affaires at the US embassy in London and also the acting ambassador, has unequivocally condemned the leaks regarding the investigation into Monday’s attack that have come from the US.
He told BBC Radio 4’s The World at One:He told BBC Radio 4’s The World at One:
These leaks were reprehensible, they are distressing, we unequivocally condemn them, we agree 100% with the chief constable and the United Kingdom [in their condemnation of them].These leaks were reprehensible, they are distressing, we unequivocally condemn them, we agree 100% with the chief constable and the United Kingdom [in their condemnation of them].
Lukens said US authorities are investigating the source of the leaks and are determined to stop them. He called it a “tragedy” that the issue was diverting people’s attention.Lukens said US authorities are investigating the source of the leaks and are determined to stop them. He called it a “tragedy” that the issue was diverting people’s attention.
When asked whether it would affect the relationship between US and British intelligence agencies, Lukens replied: “I hope not.”When asked whether it would affect the relationship between US and British intelligence agencies, Lukens replied: “I hope not.”
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Steven MorrisSteven Morris
A source from Didsbury mosque has said it has passed on threats against it to the police. The source said one person had called for the mosque to be burned down. Outside a “peace line” of a few local people has formed. They are there to show solidarity with the mosque and keep reporters at bay, although few journalists are there today.A source from Didsbury mosque has said it has passed on threats against it to the police. The source said one person had called for the mosque to be burned down. Outside a “peace line” of a few local people has formed. They are there to show solidarity with the mosque and keep reporters at bay, although few journalists are there today.
Peace chain at Didsbury mosque pic.twitter.com/KSY4MVC0coPeace chain at Didsbury mosque pic.twitter.com/KSY4MVC0co