UK Prime Minister Theresa May said Thursday she would raise leaks to US media from the Manchester bombing investigation with US President Donald Trump when the pair meet later at a NATO summit in Brussels, Belgium.
“I will make clear to President Trump that intelligence that is shared between our law enforcement agencies must remain secure,” she said, following a cabinet-level security meeting in Westminster.
The United States has faced growing criticism from UK lawmakers over the leaks, amid concern they could disrupt the fast-moving investigation into Monday night's attack against concertgoers, reports the CNN.
May's statement came a day after UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd said the leaks were “irritating,” and that she had made it clear to the United States that it “should not happen again.”
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told the BBC on Thursday that the leaks were “arrogant.”
He added, “The cooperation between the US and the UK on intelligence matters is crucial for security around the world, so we can't... this can't see both sides pulling away, but that is why the Prime Minister, the government, are right to make this an issue at the summit today, and it's why I have taken a step of speaking out too, and making my concerns known.”
Burnham, a Labour mayor, also said he had spoken with the US ambassador to Britain about his concerns.
Two Labour lawmakers tweeted their concern Wednesday. Yvette Cooper said she was very troubled by the leaks amidst a “live investigation where public safety at risk,” while Lilian Greenwood asked, “What is the Government doing with US counterparts to address these breaches?”
US sources were the first to reveal the identity of the bomber, 22-year-old Salman Abedi, leading to concern that police efforts to hunt down his associates could be impacted.
Britain's National Police Chiefs' Council warned Wednesday that leaks of potential evidence “undermine our investigations.”
Monday's attack, which came as people were leaving an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena, took the lives of at least 22 people, including several children. Dozens were also wounded in the incident.
BDST: 1820 HRS, MAY 25, 2017
AP
