Leaked information ‘undermines’ Manchester attack probe
It is alleged the trust between Britain and US has been breached, undermining the relationship and investigations.
Police deploy at scene of a reported explosion during a concert in Manchester, England, on May 23, 2017. British police said early May 23 there were “a number of confirmed fatalities” after reports of at least one explosion during a pop concert by US singer Ariana Grande. Ambulances were seen rushing to the Manchester Arena venue and police added in a statement that people should avoid the area. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS
Leaks from an investigation into the Manchester terror attack are undermining the probe, British police said on Thursday as the BBC reported that police had stopped sharing information with the US.
A spokesman for Britain’s anti-terror police said in a statement that British investigators relied on trust with security partners around the world.
“These relationships enable us to collaborate and share privileged and sensitive information that allows us to defeat terrorism and protect the public at home and abroad,” the spokesman said.
“When that trust is breached it undermines these relationships and undermines our investigations and the confidence of victims, witnesses and their families,” he said.
“This damage is even greater when it involves unauthorised disclosure of potential evidence in the middle of a major counter terrorism investigation”.
The BBC on Thursday reported that Britain had stopped sharing information with US law enforcement “because of a series of leaks thought to have come from the American intelligence community”.
Contacted by AFP, Greater Manchester Police declined to comment on the BBC report.
The New York Times published on Wednesday what appeared to be police photographs showing fragments from the bomb and a backpack used to conceal it.
© Agence France-Presse
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