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UK resumes intelligence sharing with US following row over leaks

British police have resumed intelligence-sharing with the US after a row over leaks concerning th...
Newstalk
Newstalk

07.06 26 May 2017


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UK resumes intelligence sharin...

UK resumes intelligence sharing with US following row over leaks

Newstalk
Newstalk

07.06 26 May 2017


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British police have resumed intelligence-sharing with the US after a row over leaks concerning the Manchester bombing investigation.

The US President Donald Trump has called the leaks from his administration to American media organisations, “deeply troubling.”

UK security services were said to be furious as their American counterparts apparently released sensitive information, including pictures of the arena crime scene, to the US media.

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The New York Times published pictures which appeared to show parts of the bomb as well as torn fabric from the attacker's rucksack.

The bomber's name, Salman Abedi, was also leaked to the US media against the wishes of the British authorities.

It comes as a ninth man has been arrested over the terror attack on Monday.

British officers said the leaks had caused "distress and upset" to the victims' families.

Special relationship

British Prime Minister Theresa May had warned the "special relationship" could be harmed by the repeated leaking of confidential details and raised her concerns with Donald Trump at a NATO summit in Brussels yesterday.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "She expressed the view that the intelligence-sharing relationship we have with the US is hugely important and valuable, but that the information that we share should be kept secure."

Speaking at the summit, President Trump condemned the deadly suicide bombing that took the lives of 22 people as “barbaric and vicious.”

He again branded extremists as "losers" who had to be driven out of society and vowed to never waiver in fighting terrorism.

The UKs top anti-terrorism officer, Mark Rowley, has since confirmed police had "received fresh assurances" from their foreign counterparts and were now "working closely" with them once again.

Mr Trump had said: "These leaks have been going on for a long time and my administration will get to the bottom of this. The leaks of sensitive information pose a grave threat to our national security.”

"I am asking the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies to launch a complete review of this matter, and if appropriate, the culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.

"There is no relationship we cherish more than the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom."

Defending its decision to publish the pictures, the New York Times said: "The images and information presented were neither graphic nor disrespectful of victims, and consistent with the common line of reporting on weapons used in horrific crimes."

Ongoing investigation

It comes as more searches are being carried out as part of the investigation into the concert bombing - there are now eight people in custody.

On Thursday night a property was being searched in Wigan after potentially suspicious items were found - and overnight a man was arrested following a raid on a property in the Moss Side area of Manchester.

Meanwhile, armed police will be on board trains in London for the first time ever this morning.

It is part of the increased security measures in response to Monday's suicide bombing in Manchester.


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