Theresa May refuses to comment on US ‘leaks’ of Manchester terror attacker identity

Leon Neal / Getty

Theresa May with Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins

Downing Street refuses to confirm US news reports of attacker’s identity
May’s spokesperson asked about concerns that information passed to the White House has been leaked
PM spoke with a series of world leaders after the attack.
She made a private visit to Manchester Childrens’ Hospital

LONDON — Downing Street has refused to comment on the identity of the Manchester terror attacker, despite US news outlets widely identifying a suspect.

The Associated Press have reported US officials stating that the suspect has been identified as Salman Abedi, despite Greater Manchester Police yet to confirm it.

The reports led to suggestions that information passed to the White House by Downing Street had been leaked.

The Prime Minister spoke to Donald Trump on the phone this afternoon shortly after chairing a meeting of the government’s Cobra committee.

“She took a call from Trump shortly after Cobra meetings,” the spokesperson said.

“He expressed his condolences and condemned what he said was a terrible attack. They agreed they had to work together to tackle the ideology behind the terrorist attacks.

Asked whether the Prime Minister trusts that information passed to the US would remain confidential a spokesperson for the PM said they “would not comment on leaks”.

Asked to confirm the name, they replied: “Greater Manchester Police said that confirmation would take place after formal ID had been confirmed and that is where they are.”

The spokesperson told reporters that May had also spoken to the leaders of France, Italy and Australia, who expressed their condolences and promised to work together with Britain to tackle terrorism.

The PM has spent the afternoon speaking to emergency services in Manchester and also took part in a private visit to Manchester Childrens’ Hospital to see those affected by the attack.

The spokesperson confirmed that the PM had been up through the early hours of this morning before speaking to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

“She spoke with the leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn at around 4 in the morning,” the spokesperson confirmed.

“The issue everybody wanted to resolve that as a mark of respect the general election should be suspended.”

BREAKING: US officials: British authorities have identified suspected Manchester suicide bomber as Salman Abedi.

— The Associated Press (@AP) May 23, 2017