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| Version 26 | Version 27 |
|---|---|
| Manchester attack: UK agrees to resume sharing intelligence with US after assurances - latest | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 9.42pm BST | |
| 21:42 | |
| Greater Manchester police have now put out a statement about the operation in Wigan: | |
| “As part of a search at an address in Wigan earlier today, a precautionary cordon was put in place whilst bomb disposal experts carried out an assessment after potentially suspicious items were found. | |
| The cordon has now been lifted and residents are being returned to their homes, with no controlled explosion having taken place. The search of the address remains ongoing. | |
| We would like to thank the local community for their patience and cooperation whilst enquiries were carried out. Your support was essential in helping us carry out these enquiries swiftly. | |
| Just to reiterate, the cordon was purely a precautionary measure as public safety is paramount to us as we continue our investigation into the attack at the Manchester Arena.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 9.45pm BST | |
| 9.27pm BST | |
| 21:27 | |
| Steven Morris, who is in Wigan, reports that police are now telling people they can return to their homes. | |
| A cordon was put in place and people were evacuated as a precaution while bomb disposal experts did their work. The bomb disposal unit van drove off shortly after 9.05pm. | |
| 9.19pm BST | |
| 21:19 | |
| UK resumes sharing intelligence with US | |
| Confirmation from the National Police Chiefs Council that intelligence sharing has resumed. Its national counter-terrorism policing lead, assistant commissioner Mark Rowley, said | |
| We greatly value the crucial relationship with our trusted partners around the world so we can collaborate and share sensitive information to defeat terrorism and protect the public at home and abroad. While we do not usually comment on information sharing arrangements with international law enforcement organisations, we want to emphasise that, having received fresh assurances, we are now working closely with our key partners around the world including all those in the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence alliance. | |
| Earlier today, the prime minister, Theresa May, confronted the US president, Donald Trump, over repeated leaks to US media of information related to the Manchester bombing. | |
| The Five Eyes alliance is made up of Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. | |
| Updated | |
| at 9.25pm BST | |
| 9.13pm BST | 9.13pm BST |
| 21:13 | 21:13 |
| According to the Reuters news agency, the UK’s most senior counter-terrorism officer says intelligence sharing with the US has resumed after fresh assurances were received. | According to the Reuters news agency, the UK’s most senior counter-terrorism officer says intelligence sharing with the US has resumed after fresh assurances were received. |
| British authorities had complained about leaks to US media. | |
| Updated | |
| at 9.16pm BST | |
| 9.02pm BST | 9.02pm BST |
| 21:02 | 21:02 |
| Steven Morris | Steven Morris |
| Police in Wigan are telling residents that they may not be able to return to their homes tonight and alternative accommodation is being found for them. | Police in Wigan are telling residents that they may not be able to return to their homes tonight and alternative accommodation is being found for them. |
| “A policeman knocked on the door and told us we had to go at once. It’s frightening that it’s so close to home,” said nursery worker, Kay. Her workplace was in lockdown for more than two hours yesterday after a man was arrested nearby. | “A policeman knocked on the door and told us we had to go at once. It’s frightening that it’s so close to home,” said nursery worker, Kay. Her workplace was in lockdown for more than two hours yesterday after a man was arrested nearby. |
| Some residents are being looked after this evening in a local church hall. Others have already found beds with friends and relatives. Another man has got his children, aged two and five, in the back of his car after his family was evacuated. “I’m not sure what we’re going to do. We can always sleep in the car,” he said. | Some residents are being looked after this evening in a local church hall. Others have already found beds with friends and relatives. Another man has got his children, aged two and five, in the back of his car after his family was evacuated. “I’m not sure what we’re going to do. We can always sleep in the car,” he said. |
| 8.47pm BST | 8.47pm BST |
| 20:47 | 20:47 |
| Statement from Laura MacIntyre’s family who is in a critical condition: pic.twitter.com/lNVHdhcusq | Statement from Laura MacIntyre’s family who is in a critical condition: pic.twitter.com/lNVHdhcusq |
| 8.41pm BST | 8.41pm BST |
| 20:41 | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| My colleague, Steven Morris, is there: | My colleague, Steven Morris, is there: |
| Streets sealed off in Wigan pic.twitter.com/mobd4zlZZH | Streets sealed off in Wigan pic.twitter.com/mobd4zlZZH |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.49pm BST | at 8.49pm BST |
| 8.29pm BST | 8.29pm BST |
| 20:29 | 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. | 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. |
| Witnesses 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. | Witnesses 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.52pm BST | at 8.52pm BST |
| 8.01pm BST | 8.01pm BST |
| 20:01 | 20:01 |
| 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 BST | 6.47pm BST |
| 18:47 | 18:47 |
| 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 BST | 6.40pm BST |
| 18:40 | 18:40 |
| 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 BST | 6.29pm BST |
| 18:29 | 18:29 |
| Rowena Mason | Rowena 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/f6nPoSjSHs | Some shit going down on Westminster bridge pic.twitter.com/f6nPoSjSHs |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.58pm BST | at 6.58pm BST |
| 5.59pm BST | 5.59pm BST |
| 17:59 | 17:59 |
| 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.59pm BST | at 6.59pm BST |
| 5.27pm BST | 5.27pm BST |
| 17:27 | 17:27 |
| 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.53pm BST | at 5.53pm BST |
| 5.23pm BST | 5.23pm BST |
| 17:23 | 17:23 |
| 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/5A0oXRteUe | Further information following arrest in Withington last night. pic.twitter.com/5A0oXRteUe |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.58pm BST | at 6.58pm BST |
| 5.18pm BST | 5.18pm BST |
| 17:18 | 17:18 |
| 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”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.59pm BST | at 6.59pm BST |
| 5.08pm BST | 5.08pm BST |
| 17:08 | 17:08 |
| Trauma centres told to prepare for possible further attack | Trauma 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.18pm BST | at 5.18pm BST |