Manchester Arena

May to confront Trump over 'evidence' photo leak

BRITAIN-POLITICS/ [File photo] British Prime Minister Theresa May | Reuters

UK furious after US newspaper published photos of attack scene

British Prime Minister Theresa May will confront United States President Donald Trump over leak of information about the Manchester Arena attack from the investigation when she meets him at a NATO summit in Brussels on Thursday.

The UK government has expressed its anger after a US newspaper published photos apparently showing the scene of the Manchester Arena attack that left 22 dead and several others injured.

"We are furious. This is completely unacceptable. These images leaked from inside the US system will be distressing for victims, their families and the wider public. The issue is being raised at every relevant level by the British authorities with their US counterparts," media quoted a Whitehall source as saying.

The New York Times had published photos which it said were gathered by UK authorities at the scene of the Manchester Arena attack.

The photos were also consequently published in the UK media.

The details about the attack emerged in American media before being confirmed by the British police.

UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd said she was irritated with the early release of information about bomber Salman Abedi by the United States and told her American counterparts that no further leaks should happen.

Manchester's mayor, Andy Burnham also expressed his anger over leaking of information from the investigation.

"We greatly value the important relationships we have with our trusted intelligence, law enforcement and security partners around the world," said a National Counter Terrorism Policing spokesperson. 

Meanwhile, campaigning for the general election in United Kingdom will resume on Friday after it was suspended following the terrorist attack.

Major political parties, including the Conservatives, Labour, Greens and the Scottish National Party (SNP), will recommence local level campaigning on Thursday before resuming the national events the next day after a minute's silence is held nationwide for the victims of the attacks.

All the major political parties had suspended their campaigning for the general election as a mark of respect to those killed in the Manchester Arena attack on Monday.

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn will resume their party's national campaigning on Friday.

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