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Manchester attack: police stop sharing information with US over leaks – latest updates Manchester attack: bomb disposal experts deployed to college in Hulme – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
11.21am BST
11:21
The crowd in central Manchester joined a woman singing the Oasis hit Don’t Look Back in Anger after the minute’s silence.
Goosebumps! The amazing moment Manchester crowd joins in with woman singing Oasis - Don't Look Back in Anger after minutes silence pic.twitter.com/Cw4mOq8yde
11.16am BST
11:16
Frances Perraudin
This was the scene earlier on Linby Street.
A friend has sent me these pics of Linby St from earlier. He saw a dog van and bomb disposal. #Manchester pic.twitter.com/cWunc6LcWX
11.15am BST
11:15
Police have sealed off a wide area south-west of Manchester city centre as bomb disposal experts are deployed to the college on Linby street.
Other end of the cordon on Chorlton Rd. Blocked off area is huge. #Manchester pic.twitter.com/U5roM09JC2
This is the edge of cordon around incident in Linby St, Hulme - bomb disposal is on site pic.twitter.com/9SQ2zwSOJd
The police helicopter is roaring overhead as police stand guard at the cordon and a bomb disposal squad arrive at the scene pic.twitter.com/yVANWMteAk
11.11am BST
11:11
The ongoing alert in Hulme marred the minute’s silence.
Hundreds gathered in St Ann's Square for the minutes silence. Only the sound of the police helicopter above. pic.twitter.com/1T8IpIlZJU
Greater Manchester police chief Ian Hopkins thanks the emergency services for their response to Manchester attacks pic.twitter.com/pocvQlpGNE
Manchester minute's silence. Primary school pupils. Teachers in tears. https://t.co/8TM7PXzr0N
Updated
at 11.11am BST
11.05am BST
11:05
Bomb disposal teams are believed to have been sent to the Castlefield Campus on Linby Street.
Its website says it is part of the Manchester Federation of EBSD Schools.
We cater for young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Castlefield campus is for pupils in years 10 and 11 from both Meade Hill and Southern Cross, located in the north and south of the city respectively. Castlefield campus is an exciting place to learn, where each person is valued and everyone is encouraged to succeed to the best of their ability.
UPDATE - We can confirm the incident is on Linby Street in Hulme.
Updated
at 11.09am BST
11.00am BST
11:00
Minute's silence
The UK is about to observe a minute’s silence for the victims of the Manchester attack.
The silence will be marked at all government buildings and other organisations may follow suit.
Flags on government buildings will remain at half-mast until the evening of 25 May.
Updated
at 11.02am BST
10.58am BST
10:58
Bomb disposal experts arrive
Army bomb disposal experts have been deployed to the college in Trafford as police clear a wide area.
“Please be aware the EOD have now arrived on site,” Manchester police said in a statement.
Bomb disposal unit now on the scene in Hulme, Manchester. Police shout "take cover". pic.twitter.com/aPJ7E1GD9X
Updated
at 10.59am BST
10.53am BST
10:53
Army deployed to college in Trafford
Armed police have blocked off access to Chorlton Road in south-west Manchester after being called to college in Trafford. We don’t yet know if this is connected with the investigation into the bomb attack.
The army is being deployed a day after Manchester chief police, Ian Hopkins, said troops were not being deployed in the city.
UPDATE - The army are on their way to the college in Trafford.
Police blocking off access to Chorlton Rd. Armed police. GMP say they are responding to a call at a college in Trafford #Manchester pic.twitter.com/JedWHPwUvx
Police are responding to a call at a college in Trafford. pic.twitter.com/ih4PZiu37w
Police are hastily clearing this area. Urgent shouts of "move now". #manchester pic.twitter.com/nJV16jYQEP
Police at the cordon on Chevassut Street in Hulme. The size of the cordon is being increased all the time pic.twitter.com/eBcHQv52uD
Updated
at 10.54am BST
10.15am BST10.15am BST
10:1510:15
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
A woman who lives near the address raided this morning in Moss Side said she reported a suspicious car parked outside the house on the night of the attack.A woman who lives near the address raided this morning in Moss Side said she reported a suspicious car parked outside the house on the night of the attack.
The green Seat Ibiza remains outside the searched property, and was first noticed by Lorna Reilly on the morning after the attack.The green Seat Ibiza remains outside the searched property, and was first noticed by Lorna Reilly on the morning after the attack.
Reilly, a 26-year-old mother of one, said: “I was concerned about the car because we know all the cars on the street. I phoned 101 on Tuesday as I had not seen it before. It was out of place where it’s parked. It was left in the night.”Reilly, a 26-year-old mother of one, said: “I was concerned about the car because we know all the cars on the street. I phoned 101 on Tuesday as I had not seen it before. It was out of place where it’s parked. It was left in the night.”
Reilly said the “whole house shook” when the police carried out a controlled explosion to gain entry to the property.Reilly said the “whole house shook” when the police carried out a controlled explosion to gain entry to the property.
“I ran to the front window, the armed police were stood near the car, there was also a police dog barking. The armed officers shouted ‘get back from the windows. I was terrified’.“I ran to the front window, the armed police were stood near the car, there was also a police dog barking. The armed officers shouted ‘get back from the windows. I was terrified’.
Reilly said she thought a Middle Eastern couple in the 30s or 40s lived in the property, but she has not seen them or anyone else for three or four days. No arrests were made.Reilly said she thought a Middle Eastern couple in the 30s or 40s lived in the property, but she has not seen them or anyone else for three or four days. No arrests were made.
Seat Ibiza parked outside raided house in Moss Side, reported suspicious by neighbours after it appeared overnight on night of arena attack. pic.twitter.com/PkMUEA4i8kSeat Ibiza parked outside raided house in Moss Side, reported suspicious by neighbours after it appeared overnight on night of arena attack. pic.twitter.com/PkMUEA4i8k
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.23am BSTat 10.23am BST
10.11am BST10.11am BST
10:1110:11
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
Greater Manchester police decided to stop sharing evidence from its investigation into the Manchester bombing with the United States after a series of leaks left investigators furious.Greater Manchester police decided to stop sharing evidence from its investigation into the Manchester bombing with the United States after a series of leaks left investigators furious.
The ban is limited to the Manchester investigation only, with police chiefs believing the leaks are unprecedented in their scope, frequency and potential damage. They are believed to come from US officials.The ban is limited to the Manchester investigation only, with police chiefs believing the leaks are unprecedented in their scope, frequency and potential damage. They are believed to come from US officials.
The final straw was the leak to the New York Times of pictures of the device and forensic details. That triggered high-level talks in Britain.The final straw was the leak to the New York Times of pictures of the device and forensic details. That triggered high-level talks in Britain.
Greater Manchester police are understood to be angry at the leak of their investigation as were senior officers running Britain’s counter-terrorism network.Greater Manchester police are understood to be angry at the leak of their investigation as were senior officers running Britain’s counter-terrorism network.
Police decided to impose the ban. It is not clear if government was asked for their view or approved. Downing Street said it was not invovled.Police decided to impose the ban. It is not clear if government was asked for their view or approved. Downing Street said it was not invovled.
The ban on sharing information with the US on such a major inquiry is unprecedented. More so because the atrocity has potential implications and learning for US efforts to prevent any similar attacks directed at American targets.The ban on sharing information with the US on such a major inquiry is unprecedented. More so because the atrocity has potential implications and learning for US efforts to prevent any similar attacks directed at American targets.
The ban is described as temporary, with British police examining if they can put safeguards in place to stop any further leaks.The ban is described as temporary, with British police examining if they can put safeguards in place to stop any further leaks.
Police said the leaks risked undermining trust between the Uk and US’s law enforcement and intelligence communities, who work very closely together.Police said the leaks risked undermining trust between the Uk and US’s law enforcement and intelligence communities, who work very closely together.
But British police are angry that, as their officers are in pursuit of a suspected terror network, with raids deemed so risky it is being carried out by elite armed officers, sensitive information is being regularly leaked by the US.But British police are angry that, as their officers are in pursuit of a suspected terror network, with raids deemed so risky it is being carried out by elite armed officers, sensitive information is being regularly leaked by the US.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.15am BSTat 10.15am BST
10.06am BST10.06am BST
10:0610:06
Abedi flew to Düsseldorf last weekAbedi flew to Düsseldorf last week
Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
The Manchester suicide bomber flew to the German city of Düsseldorf, four days before the arena attack, German authorities have confirmed.The Manchester suicide bomber flew to the German city of 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 city of Frankfurt.It is known that the 22-year-old travelled to Germany at least twice, including a visit to the financial city of Frankfurt.
News of his presence in Germany has raised suspicions that he may have had contact with Islamist networks there, and received logistics training from them.News of his presence in Germany has raised suspicions that he may have had contact with Islamist networks there, and received logistics training from them.
Düsseldorf is in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Anis Amri, the Berlin Christmas market attacker, spent time.Düsseldorf is in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Anis Amri, the Berlin Christmas market attacker, spent time.
Security authorities in the state have come under fire for their patchy surveillance of Amri, who was allowed to travel around Germany freely, despite authorities’ misgivings about him.Security authorities in the state have come under fire for their patchy surveillance of Amri, who was allowed to travel around Germany freely, despite authorities’ misgivings about him.
North Rhine-Westphalia is home to hundreds of people considered a security threat due to their close links to Islamist groups.North Rhine-Westphalia is home to hundreds of people considered a security threat due to their close links to Islamist groups.
Fifty-five mosques in the state are under close observation for their suspected links to the Islamist scene.Fifty-five mosques in the state are under close observation for their suspected links to the Islamist scene.
According to the German magazine Focus, Abedi was not apprehended by German authorities when he flew in to the country, because he was not on any observation list of suspected Islamists.According to the German magazine Focus, Abedi was not apprehended by German authorities when he flew in to the country, because he was not on any observation list of suspected Islamists.
Counter-terrorism experts have now opened an investigation into whether Abedi may have had contact to radical German Islamists in the area.Counter-terrorism experts have now opened an investigation into whether Abedi may have had contact to radical German Islamists in the area.
However, it is not known whether he spent any length of time in Düsseldorf, or whether he simply changed planes there en route from Libya to Manchester.However, it is not known whether he spent any length of time in Düsseldorf, or whether he simply changed planes there en route from Libya to Manchester.
According to Focus, citing information from German intelligence, Abedi also flew to Frankfurt from Britain in 2015. This was before he undertook paramilitary training in Syria, according to information received by Germany’s BKA from their counterparts at Scotland Yard, Focus reports.According to Focus, citing information from German intelligence, Abedi also flew to Frankfurt from Britain in 2015. This was before he undertook paramilitary training in Syria, according to information received by Germany’s BKA from their counterparts at Scotland Yard, Focus reports.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.13am BSTat 10.13am BST
9.55am BST9.55am BST
09:5509:55
Alexandra ToppingAlexandra Topping
At a vigil for the victims of Monday’s attack in Bury on Wednesday evening, Olivia Campbell’s mother, Charlotte, made an emotional appeal for communities to stay together.At a vigil for the victims of Monday’s attack in Bury on Wednesday evening, Olivia Campbell’s mother, Charlotte, made an emotional appeal for communities to stay together.
She thanked everyone who had provided love and support since Monday evening.She thanked everyone who had provided love and support since Monday evening.
Mother of 15-year-old Olivia Campbell, victim of Manchester attack, makes powerful speech at vigil in Buryhttps://t.co/0WqGIQ1l9b pic.twitter.com/FHLA2YRdymMother of 15-year-old Olivia Campbell, victim of Manchester attack, makes powerful speech at vigil in Buryhttps://t.co/0WqGIQ1l9b pic.twitter.com/FHLA2YRdym
She said:She said:
“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 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 don’t know where to be. I don’t know what to do. I just knew, something told me I had to come here. I can see Olivia’s friends there.“I had to come. I didn’t know what to do, I don’t know where to be. I don’t know what to do. I just knew, something told me I had to come here. I can see Olivia’s friends there.
“As a family we are united, we’re standing strong. I ask her friends, strangers, relatives, to do the same.“As a family we are united, we’re standing strong. I ask her friends, strangers, relatives, to do the same.
“Please stay together, don’t let this beat any of us, please. Don’t let my daughter be a victim.”“Please stay together, don’t let this beat any of us, please. Don’t let my daughter be a victim.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.02am BSTat 10.02am BST
9.50am BST
09:50
Police officer named as victim
Two more victims of the attack have been named including Elaine McIver, the off-duty Cheshire police officer who was attending the concert with her husband who was critically wounded in the attack.
“She was everyone’s friend” a statement from Manchester police said.
It added: “Elaine was a much loved daughter, sister, auntie, friend and colleague, the best we could ever have wished for.”
"Everyone's friend". Tribute to Cheshire police officer Elaine McIver, killed in Monday's Manchester arena attack pic.twitter.com/oOTQTmp00t
Wendy Fawell, a mother from Otley in West Yorkshire, has also been named asa victim. The 50-year-old was at the concert with her daughter. Staff at the primary school where she worked have expressed their “deep sadness”
On Thursday, St Oswald’s C of E Primary School, in Guiseley, said onTwitter: “It is with deepest sadness that I confirm that our former colleague Wendy Fawell was killed in the Manchester bombing. RIP, Wendy.”
Greg Mulholland, the Liberal Democrat candidate standing in Leeds North West, wrote on Facebook: “Heartbreaking that Wendy Fawell has been confirmed as a victim of the Manchester attack, deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers with her family and friends.”
The identities of 19 of the 22 victims have now been named.
Elaine McIlver
Wendy Fawel, 50
Eilidh MacLeod, 14,
Michelle Kiss, 45
Olivia Campbell, 15
Martyn Hett, 29
Kelly Brewster, 32
Saffie Rose Roussos, eight
Georgina Callander, 18
John Atkinson, 28
Alison Howe, 45
Lisa Lees, 47
Angelika Klis, 40
Marcin Klis, 42
Nell Jones, 14
Jane Tweddle-Taylor, 51
Sorrell Leczkowski, 14
Chloe Rutherford, 17
Liam Curry, 19
Updated
at 10.02am BST
9.39am BST
09:39
Vikram Dodd
The Guardian can confirm that Britain has stopped sharing evidence from the investigation into the Manchester bombing with the United States after a series of leaks left investigators and government furious.
The ban is limited to the Manchester investigation only, with Britain believing the leaks are unprecedented in their scope, frequency and potential damage.
Updated
at 9.46am BST
9.36am BST
09:36
Steven Morris
More on the 4am raid in the Withington area of south Manchester.
Caroline O’Shea, a witness to the arrest, said:
“We heard a huge bang at about 4am. We thought it was another explosion. We looked out of the window. There were armed officers with their faces covered and police dogs.”
“It looked as if half of GMP was there. They led women and children out of the back. It was pretty terrifying. It shows how close all of this is to us.”
Caroline O'Shea - eye witness to arrest in Withington. pic.twitter.com/Hfa5cJqU9T
Two men were arrested in Manchester on Thursday morning, taking the total to eight men in custody, among them the bomber’s 23-year-old brother Ismail Abedi.
Updated
at 9.39am BST
9.28am BST
09:28
Helen Pidd
Lawyers in Manchester are offering to work for free for bereaved families and those left injured after Monday’s bomb attack.
Manchester Law Society is coordinating a pro bono advice rota to help those affected, with many law firms across the city volunteering their services.
If any family of #ManchesterBombing can't afford legal rep at inquest. I will act for free. Other lawyers needed https://t.co/9W2HdtMXEn
They will give pro bono advice and free representation to bereaved families to assist with Criminal Injury Compensation Authority claims and inquests, as well as those seriously injured.
Updated
at 9.31am BST
9.25am BST
09:25
More on that decision to stop sharing information with US:
Police hunting the terror network behind the Manchester Arena bombing have stopped passing information to the US on the investigation as a major transatlantic row erupted over leaks of key evidence in the US, according to a report.
Downing Street was not behind any decision by Greater Manchester police to stop sharing information with US intelligence, a Number 10 source said, stressing that it was important police operations were allowed to take independent decisions.
“This is an operational matter for police,” a Number 10 spokesman said. The police and the Home Office refused to comment on the BBC report. The Guardian understands there is not a blanket ban on intelligence sharing between the US and the UK.
Relations between the US and UK security services, normally extremely close, have been put under strain by the scale of the leaks from US officials to the American media.
Theresa May is expected to confront Donald Trump over the stream of leaks of crucial intelligence when she meets the US president at a Nato summit in Brussels on Thursday.
A spokeswoman for Manchester police refused to discuss the reported decision.
Updated
at 9.28am BST
9.16am BST
09:16
Alexandra Topping
Singer Mariah Carey paid a heartfelt tribute to Martyn Hett, a 29-year-old PR manager from Stockport, who was killed in Monday’s attack.
Hett, whom friends described as an “upbeat and positive soul”, was a huge fan of the singer. His Twitter bio read: Proud owner of a Deidre Barlow tattoo. Won Come Dine With Me once. My life peaked when I met Mariah Carey.”
Carey posted a photograph of him from her Instagram account, which has 5.7m followers.
Devastated to learn that one of the victims in Manchester was part of the #Lambily. RIP Martyn Hett. We will cherish your memory forever. His family and all the families affected are in my thoughts and prayers. MC 💔❤
A post shared by Mariah Carey (@mariahcarey) on May 24, 2017 at 10:07pm PDT
Updated
at 9.33am BST
9.13am BST
09:13
Severin Carrell
Angus MacNeil, who was until the snap election the MP for the Western Isles, has disclosed that Laura MacIntyre, 15, who was very seriously burnt and wounded in the bombing that also killed her close friend Eilidh MacLeod, 14, is slowly making progress in hospital.
MacNeil, a family friend of the MacIntyres’ said he spoke to Laura’s father, Micheal , yesterday. She had treatment for her burns and other injuries yesterday. “It’s early days but each little step which has been taken seems to be optimistic, from a very low base,” he said.
With Eilidh’s death in the attack now confirmed by her parents, he said islanders on Barra “feel sick to the pit of their stomach, very, very sad, and feel just so much sorrow for their parents. Every home has felt this. Everybody is aching sorely and has a sense of loss this morning.”
Updated
at 9.25am BST
9.10am BST
09:10
Downing St not involved in any police decision to stop sharing information with US
Jessica Elgot
Downing Street was not behind any decision by Greater Manchester police to stop sharing information with US intelligence, a Number 10 source said.
The source stressed that it was important police operations were allowed to take independent decisions.
The BBC reported that GMP decided not to continue sharing intelligence about the operation following the Manchester Arena attack, following a number of leaks to US media, including pictures of the explosive device and the name of the bomber, Salman Abedi , before it was released by police.
“This is an operational matter for police,” a Number 10 spokesman said.
Updated
at 9.13am BST
9.05am BST
09:05
Steven Morris
Police forced their way into a house in the Withington area of Manchester, using a controlled explosion, and arrested one man.
A neighbour said: “There was a huge explosion at about 4am. It woke the whole neighbourhood up.”
The property is a large mid-terrace containing around seven flats.
A post office worker said: “A load of families live there. They tend to be from the Middle East. There’s a quick turn-around of tenants – they tend to be in and out.” Police stood guard at the front door this morning.
Two men were arrested in Manchester on Thursday morning, taking the total to eight men in custody, among them the bomber’s 23-year-old brother Ismail Abedi.
Police at house in Withington, south Manchester. Believed to be scene of arrest. pic.twitter.com/UnFEUywDvG
Updated
at 9.12am BST
9.01am BST
09:01
Jessica Elgot
Ian Blair, the former Metropolitan police commissioner during the 2005 London bombings on 7/7, said his investigation was also troubled by leaks from US intelligence.
Lord Blair said he was sure the leaks had “nothing to do with Trump” given that similar leaks had happened during his own time investigating a terror attack.“I’m afraid this reminds me exactly of what happened after 7/7 when the US published a complete picture of the way the bombs had been made up. We had the same protests.
“It’s a different world in how the US operates in the sense of how they publish things. And this is a very grievous breach but I’m afraid it’s the same as before.”
Blair said he thought the government was right to raise the threat level to critical but said the security services should not bear too much of the criticism for not keeping watch on Abedi, given the sheer numbers on the agencies’ watchlist.
“I remember the dilemmas when I was commissioner, running through the different priority targets and understanding that you can only cover so many of them,” he said.
“The bombings outside the Tiger Tiger nightclub, on the day Gordon Brown became prime minister, these were paediatricians from Edinburgh. They had never been on any watchlist. It is a difficult situation.”
Updated
at 9.02am BST