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Report: U.K. Stops Sharing Information on Manchester Attack With U.S. After Intelligence Leak

British 'furious' at U.S. over leaked forensic evidence to U.S. media | PM May to raise concerns in meeting with Trump at NATO summit

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This photo obtained May 24, 2017 courtesy of The New York Times (http://nyti.ms/2rV9VcF) from British Law Enforcement, shows what the bomber in the Manchester terrorist attack appeared to have use to detonate a powerful explosive in a lightweight metal container concealed within a blue Karrimor backpack, according to preliminary information gathered by British authorities in Manchester, England.
This photo obtained May 24, 2017 courtesy of The New York Times (http://nyti.ms/2rV9VcF) from British Law Enforcement, shows what the bomber in the Manchester terrorist attack appeared to have use to Credit: HANDOUT/AFP
Reuters

British police have stopped sharing information about a suicide bombing in Manchester with U.S. authorities following leaks of details of the investigation that has angered the government, the BBC said on Thursday.

The British government and police force have criticized the leaks which they say could undermine their investigation into the killing of 22 people at a concert on Monday.

Undated handout photo from an unnamed source made available on Wednesday May 24, 2017 of Salman Abedi, identified as the bomber who was responsible for Monday's explosion in Manchester which killed more than 20 people.
Undated handout photo from an unnamed source made available on Wednesday May 24, 2017 of Salman Abedi, identified as the bomber who was responsible for Monday's explosion in Manchester which killed moCredit: /AP

The BBC did not give a source for its report.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will raise concerns with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday about U.S. leaks of intelligence on the suicide bombing in Manchester, a British government source said.

British ministers and security chiefs have been dismayed by leaks in the U.S. media which police fear could hinder a hunt for a possible bomb-maker still at large. Local media said the U.K. government is "furious" over the leaks of details about the investigation into a blast which killed 22 at an Ariana Grande concert on Monday.

This photo obtained May 24, 2017 courtesy of The New York Times (http://nyti.ms/2rV9VcF) from British Law Enforcement, shows what the bomber in the Manchester terrorist attack appeared to have carried as a powerful explosive in a lightweight metal container concealed within a blue Karrimor backpack, and to have held a small detonator in his left hand, according to preliminary information gathered by British authorities in Manchester, England.
This photo obtained May 24, 2017 courtesy of The New York Times (http://nyti.ms/2rV9VcF) from British Law Enforcement, shows what the bomber in the Manchester terrorist attack appeared to have carriedCredit: HANDOUT/AFP
This photo obtained May 24, 2017 courtesy of The New York Times (http://nyti.ms/2rV9VcF) from British Law Enforcement, shows what the bomber in the Manchester terrorist attack appeared to have carried as a powerful explosive in a lightweight metal container concealed within a blue Karrimor backpack, and to have held a small detonator in his left hand, according to preliminary information gathered by British authorities in Manchester, England.
Credit: HANDOUT/AFP

British Interior minister Amber Rudd had described the leaks as "irritating" early on Thursday, after details about bomber Salman Abedi, including his name, first appeared in U.S. media, adding that Britain's allies were perfectly clear that it "shouldn't happen again."

But on Thursday the leaks continued, culminating in a New York Times article which included detailed forensic pictures of the crime scene outside the Manchester Arena, including the remains of the bag that Abedi used.

British police chiefs on Thursday condemned the release of potential evidence while inquiries were ongoing, and said that the leaks represented breaches of trust which undermined their investigation.

Meanwhile, British police have arrested two more men in connection with the Manchester attack, taking the number of people in custody to eight, Greater Manchester police said in a tweet on Thursday. 

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May walks to deliver a statement outside 10 Downing Street in central London on May 23, 2017 after a suspected suicide bombing in the northern city of Manchester.
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May walks to deliver a statement outside 10 Downing Street in central London on May 23, 2017 after a suspected suicide bombing in the northern city of Manchester.Credit: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP

One man was arrested following raids in the Withington area while the other was arrested in the Manchester area, according to the police. 

A woman arrested on Wednesday in Blackley has been released without any charge, the police said earlier. 

On Monday, a suicide bomber killed at least 22 people at a packed concert hall in Manchester, in what May called a sickening act targeting children and young people. 

ISIS, now being driven from territories in Syria and Iraq by Western-backed armed forces, claimed responsibility for the attack. 

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