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London Bridge attack: seven killed and three suspects shot dead by police – live updates London Bridge attack: seven killed and three suspects shot dead by police – live updates
(35 minutes later)
10.17am BST
10:17
Henry McDonald
The Ulster Unionist party has announced it is suspending campaigning in Northern Ireland in the general election campaign today as a mark of respect for the dead and injured of the London Bridge/Borough Market attack.
Democratic Unionist leader and former first minister of Northern Ireland Arlene Foster tweeted this morning:
Thinking of all affected by these horrific incidents in London. Thoughts & prayers also with emergency services at the scene #LondonBridge https://t.co/fJzYnjTQxr
Meanwhile Ireland’s Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said the UK had been “subjected to cowardly and barbaric attacks.”
Flanagan said the people of Ireland stand with the UK in this time.
10.15am BST
10:15
Here is some more international reaction to the London Bridge attack.
From the Russian president Vladimir Putin
Putin: cruelty and cynicism of London attack are appalling. Condemns terrorism, expresses condolences to British people. pic.twitter.com/dPBsa9cmgD
From the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi
Attacks in London are shocking & anguishing. We condemn them. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured.
From the Danish prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen
Appalled by events in #London. My thoughts are with the victims and the British people, who will persevere
From Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French foreign minister
Solidarité totale avec Londres et les britanniques. Les agents de l'ambassade et à Paris sont mobilisés pour nos compatriotes sur place 🇫🇷🇬🇧
French Foreign Minister @JY_LeDrian expresses "full solidarity with our British ally" after terrorist attack in London #LondonBridge
From Federica Mogherini, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs
With #London, the open lively bright city we all love https://t.co/Qcq2z4UqHH
From Antonio Tajini, the European parliament president
We mourn in solidarity with the victims and the families of heinous #LondonBridge attack.These acts must be stopped! #UnitedAgainstTerrorism
From Michel Barnier, the EU’s Brexit negotiator
All my thoughts are with victims and their families after #LondonAttacks. We all stand together with the U.K. in solidarity.
10.15am BST
10:15
London attacks shock with "cruelty and cynicism" - Putin.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, on Sunday condemned the “cruelty and cynicism” of the London attack and called for greater joint efforts in the fight against terror, the Kremlin said.
“Putin expresses his profound condolences for the British people and condemns the terrorist attack carried out hours ago in London,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies.
“This crime shocks with its cruelty and cynicism,” the Russian leader was quoted as saying later in a telegram to the British prime minister, Theresa May.
“The Russian president expressed his certainty that the common response to what has happened should be an increase in combined efforts in the fight against the forces of terror around the world,” the Kremlin said.
The Russian embassy also confirmed no Russian citizens were among the victims of the attack.
As of 10 AM @metpoliceuk confirmed no Russian citizens among victims of #LondonAttack #LondonBridge pic.twitter.com/klccJQux85
Updated
at 10.17am BST
10.08am BST
10:08
Alice Ross
Kieran Lovelace was on his way home from work in Liverpool Street and crossed London Bridge moments after the attack.
I was strolling home, Snapchatting away. As I’m walking across the bridge I saw (what) I thought was a car accident because I saw a lady talking to the police. I saw an injured couple probably in their mid-30s.
Near the edge of the bridge was another injured woman.
There was a load of people crowding around her. Everyone was civilians like myself trying to help out. I probably arrived there a minute after it happened. As I was going down the bridge I saw probably six or seven people from one end of the bridge to the other, injured, passed out, covered in blood.
“It was surreal, he said, his eyes welling with tears. Police, armed units and a helicopter arrived rapidly.
I saw the armed forces come in. It happened so quickly, I have to give props to the forces because they got there so quickly.
The response teams included “units I’ve never seen before”, he said.
I wasn’t aware of the incident in Borough Market, I was only aware of the bridge. People poured out of London Bridge station as it was evacuated and everyone was directed towards Tower Bridge.
Nobody knew what was happening: I had to ask people. I just saw all this carnage.
He was on the scene for about 15 minutes, he estimated. He described reaching the south end of London Bridge.
There’s a statue and there was a lady there with three kids. They were all hiding, she was blocking them. Just to see the terror on their face was a horrible thing to see.
#LondonBridge boy dem response on point. pic.twitter.com/DSv2JWWP8e
Updated
at 10.11am BST
10.05am BST
10:05
Corbyn says attack must not disrupt democratic process
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has just told Sky News that the London Bridge attack was “dreadful” and praised the “brilliant” work of the emergency services.
He confirmed Labour was suspending national campaigning for a time, but he said the party would not let this disrupt its campaign for long.
We won’t be campaigning nationally during today, but we will resume later on because I think it’s important to give a message that democracy must prevail. If we allow these attacks to disrupt our democratic process, then we all lose.
Asked what impact the Manchester and London Bridge attacks would have on the election generally, he said he could not recall any precedent for this in an election.
I hope it will not disrupt our process, because we have to have a democratic process. But I also hope we will reflect on the need to have sufficient police officers on our streets, but also sufficient intelligence to look at the terrorist threat.
But in response, as in Manchester, all communities must come together. Our strength is the strength of our community unity. That was shown in Manchester straight after the horrible event there and I’m sure it will be the same in London.
Asked if the event would be a positive or negative for Labour, in the light of the fact the polls have shown the Tory lead narrowing, Corbyn said he would not comment. At the moment we should mourn those who died and thank those who helped out, he said.
Updated
at 10.08am BST
10.03am BST
10:03
A statement from the prime minister in Downing Street is imminent.
I have just led a meeting of COBR in response to the appalling London attack and I will soon be making a statement in Downing Street.
Updated
at 10.07am BST
10.01am BST
10:01
Hannah Ellis-Petersen
Simina Motalib lives in Borough Market and was making her way home last night when she was caught up in the panic, as people ran screaming through the street, reports Hannah Ellis-Petersen.
She described the scene of carnage outside her door this morning, with the pavement covered in blood and abandoned clothes and shoes.
I live literally next to Borough Market. I was coming out of the tube station going home and I just suddenly heard people shouting ‘run, run’ and then there was this loud scream, it was a young woman, I think. So I just ran. My hands were shaking but I just ran through Borough Market and managed to get inside my house. As I went in I could see people running everywhere, they were crying, there were shoes on the floor. I could see an elderly couple trying to run but they couldn’t keep up with everyone. Neighbours were opening their doors trying to usher people in their houses. It was such a horrible thing to see all that panic. We didn’t know what was going on. I’ve lived here for 28 years and you don’t expect that to happen on your doorstep.
The first thing I saw when I opened the door this morning was blood literally everywhere. There were shoes, and clothes scattered and just so much blood on the pavements and on the road.
As a British-born Muslim, it’s awful to me to hear them using Islam when they carry out these barbaric acts, particularly in the month of Ramadam. Islam is a religion of peace, so this is so wrong.
Updated
at 10.16am BST
9.58am BST
09:58
My colleague Alice Ross is in the London Bridge/Borough area.
I've counted 16 police vans and an ambulance on the cordon at Borough High St #LondonBridgeAttack pic.twitter.com/54Gp05WAzj
Sainsbury's staff are bringing sandwiches and snacks to the police #LondonBridge pic.twitter.com/hHlNFtOlBy
Updated
at 10.02am BST
9.55am BST
09:55
Paul Nuttall, the Ukip leader, has refused to suspend Ukip campaigning because he believes that is what terrorists would want. In a statement, he said:
With more people murdered on the streets of our capital city last night by Islamist terrorists, it is more important than ever for us to confront this evil with the democratic principles that have made this country what it is.
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who lost their lives last night. The courage and quick response of our emergency services have yet again saved countless lives and in the midst of such a tragedy, deserve our respect and admiration.
It is time to start honouring our dead with more than just words. The only guarantee that will come from our choosing to stall the democratic process again will be more attacks; it is what these cowards want us to do.
For those of us seeking to serve the people of this country, it is our duty to drive the dialogue on how best to confront and defeat this brand of terrorism. That is what Ukip will be doing today and beyond. Therefore, I refuse to suspend campaigning because this is precisely what the extremists would want us to do.
Updated
at 10.05am BST
9.47am BST
09:47
Jamie Grierson
Asked if she knew the “identity of the suspects”, Dick replied: “I don’t.”
Updated
at 9.48am BST
9.46am BST9.46am BST
09:4609:46
Officials will be considering whether threat level should be raised - Met chiefOfficials will be considering whether threat level should be raised - Met chief
Dick said the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) would be considering whether to raise the official threat level to its highest rank - from severe to critical. Jamie Grierson
Dick said the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) would be considering whether to raise the official threat level to its highest – from severe to critical.
The threat level was raised and lowered again in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing.The threat level was raised and lowered again in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing.
JTAC will be assessing whether the threat level will go up or not. If it were to go up or if we felt there was a particular need for military support we absolutely would ask for it.JTAC will be assessing whether the threat level will go up or not. If it were to go up or if we felt there was a particular need for military support we absolutely would ask for it.
Dick said she was working on assumption that the Met would be sharing intelligence with the US authorities.Dick said she was working on assumption that the Met would be sharing intelligence with the US authorities.
My working assumption is we will of course be sharing information appropriately with our American colleagues,” she said. This comes after US officials leaked intimate details of the Manchester Arena investigation to US press.My working assumption is we will of course be sharing information appropriately with our American colleagues,” she said. This comes after US officials leaked intimate details of the Manchester Arena investigation to US press.
Addressing resources at the Met, she said:Addressing resources at the Met, she said:
We have very good resources, we have extraordinarily trained people. We have excellent working relationship with our colleagues in the agencies.We have very good resources, we have extraordinarily trained people. We have excellent working relationship with our colleagues in the agencies.
These sorts of things are hard to predict and sometimes sadly as has been proven in the recent weeks are hard to prevent. These sorts of things are hard to predict and sometimes sadly as has been proven in the recent weeks are hard to prevent. In light of Westminster, Manchester, we will look at our resource levels and how we use them.
In light of Westminster, Manchester, we will look at our resource levels and how we use them. Updated
at 10.18am BST
9.45am BST9.45am BST
09:4509:45
Severin CarrellSeverin Carrell
Scotland’s political parties have also suspended national campaigning today, with Scottish Labour’s leader Kezia Dugdale cancelling her event in their target seat of East Lothian and Willie Rennie, the Scottish Lib Dem leader, cancelling his in their target seat of East Dunbartonshire.Scotland’s political parties have also suspended national campaigning today, with Scottish Labour’s leader Kezia Dugdale cancelling her event in their target seat of East Lothian and Willie Rennie, the Scottish Lib Dem leader, cancelling his in their target seat of East Dunbartonshire.
The Scottish National party said “appropriate” local campaigning would continue but events with Nicola Sturgeon would not, although that would be reviewed during the day. “Our thoughts are with those affected by the frightening events in London,” a spokesman said.The Scottish National party said “appropriate” local campaigning would continue but events with Nicola Sturgeon would not, although that would be reviewed during the day. “Our thoughts are with those affected by the frightening events in London,” a spokesman said.
Respect for those who lost their lives must be our priority. However it is also important, especially so close to an election, that the terrorists do not succeed in their attempts to undermine our democracy.Respect for those who lost their lives must be our priority. However it is also important, especially so close to an election, that the terrorists do not succeed in their attempts to undermine our democracy.
Dugdale said:Dugdale said:
My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families after the horrific terrorist attacks in London last night.My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families after the horrific terrorist attacks in London last night.
Once again our nation finds itself under attack from those who hate our way of life and seek to change us. But we will not allow that to happen, because the values that they hate - democracy, the rule of law and tolerance - are what make our country so special. It’s why Britain is a beacon for other nations around the world. We will not let the terrorists win.Once again our nation finds itself under attack from those who hate our way of life and seek to change us. But we will not allow that to happen, because the values that they hate - democracy, the rule of law and tolerance - are what make our country so special. It’s why Britain is a beacon for other nations around the world. We will not let the terrorists win.
In England the Green party has said it will suspend national campaigning until this evening. But local campaigning will continue. Jonathan Bartley, the party’s co-leader, said:In England the Green party has said it will suspend national campaigning until this evening. But local campaigning will continue. Jonathan Bartley, the party’s co-leader, said:
As in Manchester, and in the aftermath of the Westminster attacks, people will come together in the coming days and demonstrate that our way of life is precious and will not be surrendered to those determined to spread fear.As in Manchester, and in the aftermath of the Westminster attacks, people will come together in the coming days and demonstrate that our way of life is precious and will not be surrendered to those determined to spread fear.
In Wales the Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said:In Wales the Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said:
This is another devastating attack. Plaid Cymru extends its condolences to the people affected and the emergency services that work so hard in these difficult circumstances. People deserve to live their lives without fear, and we must come together to reject hate.This is another devastating attack. Plaid Cymru extends its condolences to the people affected and the emergency services that work so hard in these difficult circumstances. People deserve to live their lives without fear, and we must come together to reject hate.
9.36am BST
09:36
People risked their own lives to confront suspects - Met chief
Jamie Grierson
Dick paid tribute to the police, emergency services and members of the public who came to the aid of the injured – and confronted the attackers.
She said:
In the early hours of this morning I visited one of the hospitals in London. There, I heard truly remarkable stories and extraordinarily brave actions by officers on and off duty first on the scene. I heard of colleagues of other emergency services and members of the public who ran towards the danger as the incident unfolded.
Many, many people risked their own safety to help others and treat those seriously injured and indeed to confront suspects involved. The courage of those people during and following the attack was extraordinary and I pay tribute to all of them ... I’m sure they helped to save lives.
Updated
at 9.38am BST
9.33am BST
09:33
We believe incident is under control - Met chief
Jamie Grierson
Dick says the incident is under control but police officers need to conduct thorough search of the area to make sure all are accounted for.
The cordon will remain, she says.
I appreciate this has been a terrifying experience for many people.
Updated
at 9.38am BST
9.31am BST
09:31
Seven members of the public died - Met chief
Jamie Grierson
Cressida Dick, the Met police commissioner, has said seven members of public have died in the attack, at least 48 are injured.
9.31am BST
09:31
David Davis said postponing the election would be wrong
David Davis, the Brexit secretary, has just told BBC News it would be wrong to postpone the general election. That is not what the public would want, he said. And, even if it was desirable, he said he was “not sure that it can be legally done”.
Davis said he did not know whether the attack was intended to disrupt the election. If it was, that was all the more reason not to postpone it, he said.
I think we are locked into [June 8]. I think, actually, the public would want us to be locked in. There is a balance of things here. Clearly we want to respect the people who have been injured and killed, we want to pay proper respect, therefore we don’t want to carry on across it. But on the other hand the people doing this are doing it because they despise the freedoms we have, and those freedoms can be the freedom to go out on a Saturday night, or the freedom to cast a vote.
And it may be - we don’t know, at least I don’t know, I’m not briefed this morning on this - I don’t know whether or not they are deliberately trying to disrupt the general election, or whether this is a coincidence of timing ... in which case, all the more reason not to defer, not to deflect, to as far as possible, within the grounds of propriety, to actually not let this put us off course.
Citing Spain and the Madrid bombing as an example, he said other European countries have gone ahead with elections shortly after a terrorist attack.
Updated
at 9.44am BST
9.18am BST
09:18
Greater Manchester police confirm the One Manchester concert and Michael Carrick testimonial match are to go ahead.
Statement from Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan ahead of today's events. pic.twitter.com/hlAK7MUEOf
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan from Greater Manchester police said:
We’re deeply saddened to hear about last night’s horrific attacks in London and our thoughts are with everyone affected, including the emergency services responding to the incident.
There are two large-scale events taking place in Greater Manchester today and we would like to assure people that these will still take place, but with additional security in place to ensure the safety of everyone.
We have dedicated resources at both events, with a significant number of officers from both GMP and colleagues from other forces, some of which will be armed. There will be additional security checks taking place and everyone will be searched, including bags. We would ask people not to bring bags if they can, as this will help speed up entry.
I’d like to remind people that the threat level remains at severe, which means an attack is highly likely. Please remain vigilant at all times and report anything suspicious that causes you concern to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 or 999 in an emergency.
Updated
at 9.39am BST
9.17am BST
09:17
Alice Ross
Borough High Street is still sealed off a couple of hundred metresfrom the market, with an unsurprisingly heavy police presence on the cordon, watched by a clutch of TV crews, Alice Ross reports.
A single bunch of sunflowers lay on a traffic island.
Antonio Gonzalez, an assistant manager at the St Christopher’s Inn, just inside the cordon, said: “I saw so many police cars going that way so I went to check Borough Market.”
As he reached Starbucks, he saw the police firing. “It was really fast,” he said. “I couldn’t see it that clearly but apparently there were two to three terrorists and they started shooting at them. I came back to the hostel to take everyone out.”
The hostel’s 52 guests, all of whom are safe and well, were evacuated to a sister hostel. Gonzalez, with other hostel staff, was overseeing guests as they returned in small groups to collect their belongings. He was dazed. “I couldn’t sleep at all last night, he said.
Yu An Lee, a hostel guest from Korea, was shivering in shorts and a T-shirt in the early morning as he waited to be allowed in. His mother, in a light T-shirt and sandals, wrapped her arms around him as they waited. They had arrived from Italy and checked in at about 10pm.
“We heard a big sound, like people shouting to each other. We thought someone was fighting or having an argument – it was very loud,” he said. “Five minutes later the staff came to the building and told us to stay in the building because it was very dangerous. The staff said she didn’t know what was going on. There was panic.”
Two or three minutes later the police came to the first floor andordered people to leave as soon as possible. Officers on the streetordered people to run south.
“Me and my mum started to run as fast as we can ... everyone was really terrified,” he said. In the commotion, Lee couldn’t see what was happening behind them. “All we thought about was running away. Lots of people were running together. We tried to stay in a group.”
They didn’t stop until they reached Elephant and Castle, 15-20 minutes away.
“This area was really in a panic,” he said. “As we got further awayfrom the scene people seemed to be normal, just smoking, riding on the bus. It seems some people didn’t know what was going on.” For Lee and his mother, newly arrived in an unfamiliar city, the contrast was stark.
“We were terrified and horrified. All we could think about wasrunning away and trying not to get separated.We really didn’t have any idea what was going on ... nobody explained to us what was going on.”
They were taken to a hostel in Camden, where staff tried to make them comfortable in communal areas. Learning the incident was a suspected terror attack made him “more terrified,” he said. “Last night I thought something was going terribly. But I just read the news this morning and actually there was terror.”
This was “especially horrifying”, he said.
Updated
at 9.29am BST
9.13am BST
09:13
Four french victims injured - French foreign minister
Kim Willsher
Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s foreign minister, has said there are four French victims injured in the London Bridge attack, one of them seriously.
Updated
at 9.16am BST
9.12am BST
09:12
Sam Jones
In a tweet posted in the early hours of Sunday, the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, said he was monitoring the attacks with worry and sadness, adding: “Our solidarity and support to the authorities and to the British people.”
Sigo con preocupación los ataques en Londres, triste información. Nuestra solidaridad y apoyo a las autoridades y al pueblo británico. MR
The country’s foreign minister, Alfonso Dastis, tweeted: “My condolences on a tragic night. We stand with the victims and their families.”
Mi pesar por nueva noche trágica #Londonbridge #BoroughMarket #LondresDel lado de las víctimas y sus familiasActivado servicio emergencia https://t.co/GI9iG6UVVr
The Spanish consulate in London tweeted emergency phone numbers for those concerned about friends and relatives in London who may have been caught up in the attack.
Telfnos emergencia adicionales al +447712764151 o 07712764151España+447938633876; +447582314487Reino Unido 07938633876; 07582314487
Updated
at 9.17am BST
9.08am BST
09:08
Andrew Sparrow
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said earlier the general election should not be postponed. “They want to stop us voting on Thursday in the general election … we can’t allow them to do that,” he said. (See 7.22am.)
In practice, postponing the general election is not a realistic possibility, because it would be extremely difficult. Many people have already cast postal ballots. David Boothroyd, a parliamentary expert, reckons the government would have to declare a state of emergency for this to happen.
Some comments about postponing the election, but this is procedurally difficult as I don't think there's any legal ability to do so
Rule 42 of the Parliamentary Election Rules allows postponement of the poll in the event of riot - for one day: https://t.co/jytjosZIRp
So the only way to intervene in election timing would be to declare a state of emergency under the Civil Contingencies Act
There is provision in the Representation of the People Act for a general election to be delayed for a fortnight – but that only applies in the event of the monarch dying between the dissolution of parliament and polling day.
In 2001, Tony Blair did “delay” the general election for a month because of the foot and mouth outbreak. It was expected in May, but took place in June. But Blair had never actually announced that the general election would be in May – it was just widely assumed it would coincide with the local elections, which were formally delayed – and so the comparison is not really relevant.
Updated
at 9.18am BST
8.57am BST
08:57
A man from New Zealand has been put in an induced coma after being seriously injured in the attacks, New Zealand media report.
Oliver Dowling, from Christchurch, was among those injured in the Borough Market stabbing, according to his family. His sister, Freddy, says he’s in an induced coma after being stabbed in the face, neck and stomach. The injuries missed his vital organs, she says.
Updated
at 9.30am BST