Home Secretary condemns ‘barbaric’ Manchester attack which targeted vulnerable
Home Secretary Amber Rudd has said the Manchester explosion was a “barbaric” attack on some of the “most vulnerable in our society”.
She said the intention of the attack was to “sow fear” but stressed that it would not succeed.
In a statement, she said: “I know that some people will only just be waking up to the news of the horrific attacks in Manchester last night.
“This was a barbaric attack, deliberately targeting some of the most vulnerable in our society – young people and children out at a pop concert.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and the victims who have been affected, and I know the whole country will share that view.
“I’d like to pay tribute to the emergency services who have worked throughout the night professionally and effectively – they have done an excellent job.
“Later on this morning, I will be attending COBRa, chaired by the Prime Minister, to collect more information – to find out more – about this particular attack, and I can’t comment any more on that at the moment.
“The public should remain alert but not alarmed. If they have anything to report, they should approach the police.
“But I have two further things to add.
“The great city of Manchester has been affected by terrorism before. Its spirit was not bowed; its community continued.
“This time it has been a particular attack on the most vulnerable in our society – its intention was to sow fear – its intention is to divide. But it will not succeed.”
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said it was “impossible to imagine a worse night in the history of this city”.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims of those people who are in some cases critically injured in what is a truly appalling night.”
Sir Richard added: “As a city, as a community, we will continue to pull together and we will not allow ourselves to be beaten.”
Ukip leader Paul Nuttall said: “Just woken to the terrible news in the heart of my constituency, Manchester. My prayers and thoughts are with those affected. Stay strong.
“In light of what’s happened I have suspended the Ukip General Election campaign.”
Brendan Cox, the widower of murdered MP Jo Cox, wrote on Twitter: “Thinking of every family whose lives have been destroyed today by a cowardly hate filled attack. So much pain and so pointless.
“The pain these attacks inflict is profound & real, & it lasts long after the headlines have moved on.”
He added: “Britain will respond as it always does under attack; with love for the bereaved, unity & resolve. They will not change us. They will not win.”
Chancellor Philip Hammond, arriving for a summit of EU finance ministers in Brussels, said: “I have woken up this morning to the terrible news of this barbaric attack in Manchester.
“It is, as far as we know, a terrorist incident. We are treating it as such.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families and the people of Manchester and I would like to pay tribute to the emergency services who have done a great job throughout the night and are continuing to work at the scene.”
Mr Hammond was not attending a meeting of the Government’s Cobra emergency committee, but said he would return to London at lunchtime.
London mayor Sadiq Khan said the capital “stands united with the great city of Manchester today after this barbaric and sickening attack”.
“This was a cowardly act of terrorism that targeted a concert attended by thousands of children and young people,” he said.
“My heart goes out to the victims, their families and everybody affected.
“Once again we have seen the heroism of our brave emergency services. They have our full support and are in all our thoughts today.
“I am in constant contact with the Metropolitan Police, who are reviewing security arrangements in London. Londoners will see more police on our streets today.
“Manchester and the rest of Britain will never be cowed by terrorism. Those who want to destroy our way of life and divide us will never succeed.”
Homeless man cradled dying woman in his arms
By Kim Pilling
A rough sleeper has tearfully described the moment a woman died in his arms from the explosion set off as fans left the Manchester Arena.
At the time of the blast Chris Parker, 33, was in the foyer area of the venue where he regularly goes to beg for money as concert crowds head home.
He recalled: “Everyone was piling out, all happy and everything else. As people were coming out of the glass doors I heard a bang and within a split second I saw a white flash, then smoke and then I heard screaming.
“It knocked me to the floor and then I got up and instead of running away my gut instinct was to run back and try and help.
“There was people lying on the floor everywhere.
“I saw a little girl … she had no legs. I wrapped her in one of the merchandise T-shirts and I said ‘where is your mum and daddy?’ She said ‘my dad is at work, my mum is up there’.”
He said he thought the child’s mother had died from her injuries.
Mr Parker, who has slept rough in the city for about a year, said he also tended to a woman aged in her 60s who was badly hurt from the bombing with serious leg and head injuries.
He said: “She passed away in my arms. She was in her 60s and said she had been with her family.
“I haven’t stopped crying.
“The most shocking part of it is that it was a kids’ concert.
“There were nuts and bolts all over the floor. People had holes in their back.
“It’s the screams I can’t get over and the smell … I don’t like to say it but it smelled like burning flesh.
“I don’t think anything has sunk in yet. It’s just shock.”
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2017, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) Peter Byrne / PA Wire.
