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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)
8.41pm BST
20:41
Greater Manchester police confirm bomb disposal squads are involved in Wigan and that people are being evacuated. A statement just released by the force reads:
We made an arrest in Wigan yesterday in connection with the investigation into the incident at Manchester Arena.
Following this arrest, a house in Wigan was raided this morning and is currently being searched.
Potentially suspicious items were found at the address and a large cordon has been put in place as bomb disposal experts make an assessment.
We have a number of officers on the ground and are evacuating people as a matter of precaution as public safety is paramount to our investigation. We are working with the local authority to accommodate those who have been evacuated.
8.29pm BST
20:29
A street has been sealed off as police continue to search a property in Wigan, amid reports that a bomb disposal unit was called to the scene.
Eyewitnesses posted photos on Twitter showing a bomb disposal van, and at least one street sealed off with a police cordon while a helicopter circled above. Greater Manchester police told the Press Association that officers had been at an address in the area since Wednesday evening, following the arrest of a man carrying a suspicious package.
A helicopter circled above the cordoned-off area, near the Wigan Royal Infirmary, while emergency vehicles filled the road, one witness said.
Tom Piper, who lives nearby, said:
The police apparently turned up at 1.30am in the morning with guns and stormed the place. But I never heard it.
Then they’ve been there all day, mainly just one or two police sat outside. Then about four or five-ish it looked like forensic people were there and then all of a sudden, about half-six, we all got told to evacuate.
Another witness told the agency that they had seen a bomb disposal squad unloading what appeared to be a specialist remote device to assist their search.
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Police have released a tribute 50-year-old Wendy Fawell from her son. He says:Police have released a tribute 50-year-old Wendy Fawell from her son. He says:
Me and my family are truly devastated by the news. Mum was a wonderful woman. So kind and generous and touched the lives of so many.Me and my family are truly devastated by the news. Mum was a wonderful woman. So kind and generous and touched the lives of so many.
She will be greatly missed. Also, I would like to add, how much it means to us, what everybody at home and in Manchester have done to support us at this time. Thank you.She will be greatly missed. Also, I would like to add, how much it means to us, what everybody at home and in Manchester have done to support us at this time. Thank you.
6.47pm BST6.47pm BST
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After Donald Trump ordered a review into how sensitive material relating to the Manchester attack emerged in the US, his attorney general Jeff Sessions has issued a statement saying that he has discussed the “rampant leaks” with Amber Rudd:After Donald Trump ordered a review into how sensitive material relating to the Manchester attack emerged in the US, his attorney general Jeff Sessions has issued a statement saying that he has discussed the “rampant leaks” with Amber Rudd:
“I share the president’s deep concern and talked to Home Secretary Rudd yesterday about this matter. These leaks cannot be tolerated and we will make every effort to put an end to it. We have already initiated appropriate steps to address these rampant leaks that undermine our national security.”“I share the president’s deep concern and talked to Home Secretary Rudd yesterday about this matter. These leaks cannot be tolerated and we will make every effort to put an end to it. We have already initiated appropriate steps to address these rampant leaks that undermine our national security.”
6.40pm BST6.40pm BST
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Westminster Bridge has now been fully reopened after the vehicle was searched.Westminster Bridge has now been fully reopened after the vehicle was searched.
6.29pm BST6.29pm BST
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Rowena MasonRowena Mason
Westminster Bridge in London has been closed by police, who put police tape across the road and blocked it to traffic and pedestrians. A police officer said that the closure was due to an unattended car on the bridge, and that it was hoped that it would be reopened soon. Twitter users posted pictures of the closure:Westminster Bridge in London has been closed by police, who put police tape across the road and blocked it to traffic and pedestrians. A police officer said that the closure was due to an unattended car on the bridge, and that it was hoped that it would be reopened soon. Twitter users posted pictures of the closure:
Some shit going down on Westminster bridge pic.twitter.com/f6nPoSjSHsSome shit going down on Westminster bridge pic.twitter.com/f6nPoSjSHs
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at 6.58pm BSTat 6.58pm BST
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Our political editor Anushka Asthana is travelling with Theresa May as she visits Brussels for a Nato summit and then goes to Sicily for a meeting of the G7. She reports that the prime minister raised the issue of the intelligence leaks with the US president while they were waiting for the family photograph to be taken. A senior government source said May had argued that intelligence shared with the US was hugely important and valuable and must be kept secure.Our political editor Anushka Asthana is travelling with Theresa May as she visits Brussels for a Nato summit and then goes to Sicily for a meeting of the G7. She reports that the prime minister raised the issue of the intelligence leaks with the US president while they were waiting for the family photograph to be taken. A senior government source said May had argued that intelligence shared with the US was hugely important and valuable and must be kept secure.
She also pledged more British troops for Afghanistan following a request from the Nato secretary general. The unspecified number of extra troops will be in a non-combat role.She also pledged more British troops for Afghanistan following a request from the Nato secretary general. The unspecified number of extra troops will be in a non-combat role.
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Here is a summary of the latest developments:Here is a summary of the latest developments:
Police hunting the network behind the Manchester suicide bomber, Salman Abedi, have made “significant” arrests and officers have seized “very important” items in raids, Manchester’s chief constable, Ian Hopkins, has revealed. Eight men are in custody, including two who were arrested early this morning.Police hunting the network behind the Manchester suicide bomber, Salman Abedi, have made “significant” arrests and officers have seized “very important” items in raids, Manchester’s chief constable, Ian Hopkins, has revealed. Eight men are in custody, including two who were arrested early this morning.
Donald Trump said leaks relating to the Manchester bombing investigation from the US were “deeply troubling”. The US president pledged that an investigation would get to the bottom of the leaks, which he said “pose a grave threat to our national security”.Donald Trump said leaks relating to the Manchester bombing investigation from the US were “deeply troubling”. The US president pledged that an investigation would get to the bottom of the leaks, which he said “pose a grave threat to our national security”.
Greater Manchester police decided to stop sharing evidence from their investigation with the United States after the leaks left investigators furious. Hopkins said the leaks had caused “much distress” to the families of the victims.Greater Manchester police decided to stop sharing evidence from their investigation with the United States after the leaks left investigators furious. Hopkins said the leaks had caused “much distress” to the families of the victims.
Theresa May said she would tell Trump that intelligence shared with the US “must remain secure” when she met him at the Nato summit in Brussels. She also said the threat level “will remain at critical and the public should remain vigilant”.Theresa May said she would tell Trump that intelligence shared with the US “must remain secure” when she met him at the Nato summit in Brussels. She also said the threat level “will remain at critical and the public should remain vigilant”.
The New York Times defended its decision to publish crime scene photographs of the bombing. It said they were “neither graphic nor disrespectful of victims, and consistent with the common line of reporting on weapons used in horrific crimes”.The New York Times defended its decision to publish crime scene photographs of the bombing. It said they were “neither graphic nor disrespectful of victims, and consistent with the common line of reporting on weapons used in horrific crimes”.
Abedi flew to Düsseldorf four days before the arena attack, German authorities have confirmed. It is known that the 22-year-old travelled to Germany at least twice, including a visit to the financial centre, Frankfurt. Turkish security officials told Reuters they had no record of Abedi entering Syria.Abedi flew to Düsseldorf four days before the arena attack, German authorities have confirmed. It is known that the 22-year-old travelled to Germany at least twice, including a visit to the financial centre, Frankfurt. Turkish security officials told Reuters they had no record of Abedi entering Syria.
The bomb detonated by Abedi used the same explosives as those in the Paris and Brussels attacks, a US Republican politician has said, pointing to a possible link to the same terrorist network. The chair of the House homeland security committee, Mike McCaul, said the bomb suggested a “level of sophistication” that implied its maker or makers may have had foreign training.The bomb detonated by Abedi used the same explosives as those in the Paris and Brussels attacks, a US Republican politician has said, pointing to a possible link to the same terrorist network. The chair of the House homeland security committee, Mike McCaul, said the bomb suggested a “level of sophistication” that implied its maker or makers may have had foreign training.
Hundreds gathered in Manchester’s St Ann’s Square at 11am as the UK observed a minute’s silence for the victims of the attack. Flags on government buildings will remain at half-mast until the evening.Hundreds gathered in Manchester’s St Ann’s Square at 11am as the UK observed a minute’s silence for the victims of the attack. Flags on government buildings will remain at half-mast until the evening.
NHS England has sent an alert to England’s 27 major trauma centres to prepare for a possible further terrorist attack over the bank holiday weekend, the Health Service Journal reported. NHS England said it was normal protocol in such circumstances. Health officials said 116 people had been treated in hospital as a result of the bombing. Some of those caught up in the blast had “life-changing injuries”.NHS England has sent an alert to England’s 27 major trauma centres to prepare for a possible further terrorist attack over the bank holiday weekend, the Health Service Journal reported. NHS England said it was normal protocol in such circumstances. Health officials said 116 people had been treated in hospital as a result of the bombing. Some of those caught up in the blast had “life-changing injuries”.
Armed police officers are patrolling 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.Armed police officers are patrolling 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.
A suspect package found in Hulme, south-west Manchester, was deemed safe after bomb disposal experts were sent to a college in the area. The operation was “not necessarily related” to the attack, Hopkins said.A suspect package found in Hulme, south-west Manchester, was deemed safe after bomb disposal experts were sent to a college in the area. The operation was “not necessarily related” to the attack, Hopkins said.
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A bomb disposal unit has been sent to a property in Withington, Manchester, where counter-terrorism officers arrested a man on Wednesday night. Police are continuing to search a number of properties. Greater Manchester’s chief constable, Ian Hopkins, says the searches, which have already uncovered “items that we believe are very important to the investigation”, could continue for days.A bomb disposal unit has been sent to a property in Withington, Manchester, where counter-terrorism officers arrested a man on Wednesday night. Police are continuing to search a number of properties. Greater Manchester’s chief constable, Ian Hopkins, says the searches, which have already uncovered “items that we believe are very important to the investigation”, could continue for days.
Further information following arrest in Withington last night. pic.twitter.com/5A0oXRteUeFurther information following arrest in Withington last night. pic.twitter.com/5A0oXRteUe
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Despite – or perhaps because of – tensions over leaks relating to the Manchester investigation, the US secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, will make his first official visit to the UK tomorrow.Despite – or perhaps because of – tensions over leaks relating to the Manchester investigation, the US secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, will make his first official visit to the UK tomorrow.
The UK Foreign Office said he would “meet with foreign secretary Boris Johnson in an expression of UK-US solidarity following the terrorist attack in Manchester earlier this week. During the visit to London, secretary Tillerson and the foreign secretary will write messages of condolence for the victims of the attack and hold talks on a range of foreign policy issues”.The UK Foreign Office said he would “meet with foreign secretary Boris Johnson in an expression of UK-US solidarity following the terrorist attack in Manchester earlier this week. During the visit to London, secretary Tillerson and the foreign secretary will write messages of condolence for the victims of the attack and hold talks on a range of foreign policy issues”.
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Trauma centres told to prepare for possible further attackTrauma centres told to prepare for possible further attack
NHS England has sent an alert to England’s 27 major trauma centres to prepare for a possible further terrorist attack over the bank holiday weekend, after the UK threat level was raised to critical, the Health Service Journal (HSJ) reports.NHS England has sent an alert to England’s 27 major trauma centres to prepare for a possible further terrorist attack over the bank holiday weekend, after the UK threat level was raised to critical, the Health Service Journal (HSJ) reports.
It quotes Chris Moran, the national clinical director for trauma, as saying:It quotes Chris Moran, the national clinical director for trauma, as saying:
You will be aware that we have a bank holiday weekend approaching. There are a number of things that all trauma units and major trauma centres can do to prepare for a further incident and I should be grateful if you could disseminate these within your network so that frontline clinicians are aware.You will be aware that we have a bank holiday weekend approaching. There are a number of things that all trauma units and major trauma centres can do to prepare for a further incident and I should be grateful if you could disseminate these within your network so that frontline clinicians are aware.
An NHS England spokesman is quoted:An NHS England spokesman is quoted:
Since the [Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre] has announced the threat level has changed from severe to critical, this triggers longstanding, tried and tested NHS protocols reflected in this letter, which reminds NHS organisations of the precautionary measures they need to take ensure care is in place should it be needed.Since the [Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre] has announced the threat level has changed from severe to critical, this triggers longstanding, tried and tested NHS protocols reflected in this letter, which reminds NHS organisations of the precautionary measures they need to take ensure care is in place should it be needed.
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The Charity Commission has urged people wishing to support the victims of the Manchester attack to donate to a genuine charitable appeal.
The Charity Commission, Greater Manchester police, the British Red Cross and the city’s lord mayor are pointing people towards the We Love Manchester appeal, launched by the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Charitable Appeal Trust and other registered charities.
The Manchester Evening News, which launched the We Stand Together appeal, has joined forces with the We Love Manchester emergency fund, the commission said.
It said it was taking the “unusual step of recommending people to give to a specific charitable appeal” in light of concerns about fraud.
David Holdsworth, registrar of charities for England and Wales and chief operating officer at the Charity Commission, said:
Sadly, during such periods of especially generous giving, there are a small minority of those who seek to exploit that goodwill for fraudulent, selfish purposes. That is why we are encouraging people who wish to donate to give to the We Love Manchester fund, launched by the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Charitable Appeal Trust, to ensure that these funds reach those affected by the appalling attack in Manchester.
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Alexandra Topping
The husband of a woman who was struck by the blast that claimed 22 victims in Manchester on Monday has said her mobile phone may have saved her life.
Lisa Bridgett, 45, was speaking into her iPhone after the Ariana Grande concert when the explosion sent a steel nut in the direction of her head.
Bridgett, who manages a boatyard in Pwllheli, north Wales, had her finger chopped off by the nut, and her husband Steve, 45, said she was “very lucky to be alive”.
Her husband said he believed the smashed phone had slowed down the nut and changed its trajectory. Bridgett, who was at the concert with her daughter and her daughter’s friend, had surgery on Tuesday and was due to have another operation after suffering multiple injuries.
Her husband said:
The fact that she was on the phone at the time probably saved her life. The nut has hit her phone which has more than likely not only diverted it, but also slowed it down considerably.
Bridgett was left with a fractured ankle and a large wound on her thigh. Her husband said:
This may seem a bit graphic but at the end of the day it’s a reality. She will make a full recovery although I don’t think the finger will grow back.
He thanked the emergency services for all their help in the aftermath of the attack and the days that followed.
All of us want to thank the police for their incredible work after the incident and all the staff at both the MRI [Manchester Royal Infirmary] and Wythenshawe for all the work they have done and are doing.
But one hero was singled out for special praise – the Manchester Arena steward who had helped his wife to exit the scene.
In particular, [I want to thank] Peter the steward at the Manchester Arena for helping Lisa outside and getting her to safety.
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4.13pm BST
16:13
Turkish security officials say they have no record of the Manchester bomber, Salman Abedi, entering Syria, Reuters reports.
It quotes an official as saying:
There is flight traffic before his arrival to Europe. He travels first to Europe, then to a third country and then to Istanbul and back to Europe.
He said the “third country” was not Syria.
He has not spent any time in Turkey [and] he has not had an entry or exit from Syria during his travels. There is no such information in his records.
Of course, that does not preclude Abedi having gone to Syria illegally, as many do, although there is no evidence of that. The French interior minister previously said that Abedi “probably” travelled to Syria before rowing back from the assertion.
German authorities confirmed today that he flew to Düsseldorf four days before the arena attack.
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Wayne Rooney has announced a donation of £100,000 “to provide support and practical help for victims and their families” through his charity, the Wayne Rooney Foundation.
The charity is also setting up a donations line for other people to pledge money.
The Manchester United and England star said:
As a father, I am horrified that a night out for so many young people could end so tragically. My heart goes out all those affected. Please give whatever you can.
Separately, Manchester United and Manchester City announced earlier that they had combined to donate £1m to the We Love Manchester emergency fund.
Manchester City’s chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, said:
The hope of both our clubs is that our donation will go some small way to alleviate the daunting challenges faced by those directly affected and that our acting together will serve as a symbol to the world of the unbreakable strength of the spirit of Manchester.
Echoing his sentiments, Ed Woodward, executive vice-chairman of Manchester United, said:
The barbarism of Monday evening’s attack has shocked everyone. Our clubs are right at the heart of our local communities in Manchester and it is right that we present a unified response to this tragedy.
City and United combine to donate £1 million to We Love Manchester Emergency Fund. #ACityUnited https://t.co/dPWdZVfzND
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Trump says:
Terrorism must be stopped in its tracks or the horror you saw in Manchester and so many places will be repeated forever … We must be tough, we must be strong and we must be vigilant.
He said Nato must focus on “terrorism and immigration”, clearly linking the two issues. Salman Abedi was born in Manchester to Libyan parents.
Trumps says 23 of the 28 Nato members are not paying what they should be.
That is not fair to the taxpayers of the United States.
The US president says that some countries still owe money from previous years.
Nato members must confront the “barbaric evil” in the world together, says Trump.
He concludes:
We will never waver in our determination to defeat terrorism.
Before he started speaking, Trump called for a one-minute silence for the victims of the Manchester attack.
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Trump is speaking in Brussels now. He calls the attack in Manchester “barbaric and vicious”. He once again calls the perpetrators “losers”.
He calls for them to be driven out of our communities.
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Trump is speaking in Brussels now. He has asked for everyone to observe a minute’s silence.
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Trump says leaks 'deeply troubling'
The US president, Donald Trump, has said the leaks of sensitive information from the Manchester investigation are “deeply troubling” and pose a “grave threat” to US national security. He said:
There is no relationship we cherish more than the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.
He said he has asked the US Department of Justice and other agencies to launch a complete investigation, vowing: “My administration will get to the bottom of this.”
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15:20
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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Haroon Siddique
Prof Bob Pearson, director of Central Manchester University hospitals, has said 18 adults and 14 children remain in the two hospitals run by his trust. 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 surgery.
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