'THE SPIRIT OF MANCHESTER WILL NEVER BE BROKEN'
Theresa May visits victims in Manchester hospital after saying ‘cowardice met by bravery’ and insisting attacker’s attempt to divide Britain failed
THERESA MAY has visited victims of the Manchester bomb attack in hospital just hours after she slammed the "cowardice" of the terror incident which left 22 dead.
In a defiant speech outside No 10 this morning the Prime Minister said the "cowardice of the attacker was met by the bravery of the emergency services and the people" who stopped to help when a suicide bomber killed fans in a blast after a pop concert.
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The PM then made her way to the northern city with Home Secretary Amber Rudd, to meet with police - and to visit some of the victims in hospital.
Mrs May said this morning that terrorism would never defeat Britain.
She said: "The attempt to divide us brought countless acts of kindness which brought us together.
"We all, every single one of us, stand with the people of Manchester at this difficult time.
"And today let us remember those who died and let us celebrate those who helped, safe in the knowledge that the terrorists will never win and our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail.
"All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks on innocent people.
"But this attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice."
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Theresa May's contribution to book of condolences
“Here in this great city a callous and cowardly act was met by the inspirational bravery of our emergency services and the unbreakable spirit of the people of Manchester.“As we remember those who died, their loved ones and those who were injured, we will celebrate those who helped, safe in the knowledge that terrorism never wins and our values, our country and our way of life will prevail.”
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"Deliberately targeting innocent, defenceless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives.
"We struggle to comprehend the warped and twisted mind that sees a room packed with young children not as a scene to cherish, but as an opportunity for carnage.
"We can take on and defeat the ideology that often fuels this violence."
Election campaigning has been suspended by all parties in the wake of the attack - and the PM's spokesperson said this afternoon it would remain off "until further notice".
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Mrs May urged Brits to remember the images of the men and women who rushed to help the injured last night.
"At terrible moments like these, it is customary for leaders, politicians, and others to condemn the perpetrators and declare that the terrorists will not win.
"But the fact we have been here before and the fact we need to say this again does not make it any less true.
"For as so often while we experienced the worst of humanity in Manchester last night, we also saw the best.
"The cowardice of the attacker met the bravery of the emergency services and the people of Manchester.
"The attempt to divide us met countless acts of kindness that brought people closer together, and in the days ahead those must be the things we remember."
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"The images we hold in our minds should not be those of senseless slaughter but of the ordinary men and women who put concerns about their own safety to one side and rushed to help.
"Of the men and women of the emergency services who worked tirelessly to bring comfort, to help, and to save lives.
"Of the messages of solidarity and hope, of all those who opened their homes to the victims.
"For they are the images that embody the spirit of Manchester and the spirit of Britain - a spirit that through years of conflict and terrorism has never been broken and will never be broken.";
She spoke to news channels after meeting with police in Manchester, and vowed that"we will not let the terrorists win".
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And she vowed to make sure security services look again at the safety of concert venues so Brits can continue to enjoy summer events feeling secure.
She said: "What is clear is that we are ensuring that the resources are available to police in order that they can do the job that they need to do.
"What I'm also clear about is that we will not let the terrorists win. Our values will prevail."
Of the youngest victim confirmed today, eight-year-old Saffie-Rose Roussos, Mrs May said: "It is an absolutely barbaric attack that has taken place.
"To cut off young lives in this way, it is absolutely devastating."
And she revealed that some police officers who weren't working turned up to try and help last night.
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Theresa May's full speech outside No10
"I have just chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency committee Cobra where we discussed the details of, and the response to, the appalling events in Manchester last night.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families and friends of all those affected.
"It is now beyond doubt that the people of Manchester and of this country have fallen victim to a callous terrorist attack, an attack that targeted some of the youngest people in our society with cold calculation.
"This was among the worst terrorist incidents we have ever experienced in the United Kingdom.
";And although it is not the first time Manchester has suffered in this way, it is the worst attack the city has experienced and the worst-ever to hit the north of England.
"The police and security services are working at speed to establish the complete picture. But I want to tell you what I can at this stage.
"At 10.33 last night the police were called to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena in Manchester city centre, near Victoria train station.
"We now know that a single terrorist detonated his improvised explosive device near one of the exits of the venue, deliberately choosing the time and place to cause maximum carnage and to kill and injure indiscriminately.
"The explosion coincided with the conclusion of a pop concert, which was attended by many young families and groups of children.
"All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks on innocent people but this attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice - deliberately targeting innocent defenceless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives.
"As things stand I can tell you that in addition to the attacker 22 people have died, and 59 people have been injured.
"Those who were injured are being treated in eight different hospitals across Greater Manchester - many are being treated for life threatening conditions.
"And we know that among those killed and injured were many children and young people.
"We struggle to comprehend the warped and twisted mind that sees a room packed with young children not as a scene to cherish but as an opportunity for carnage.
"But we can continue to resolve to thwart such attacks in future - to take on and defeat the ideology that often fuels this violence, and if there turn out to be others responsible for this attack to seek them out and bring them to justice.
"The police and security services believe that the attack was carried out by one man but they now need to know whether he was acting alone or as part of a wider group.
"It will take some time to establish these facts and the investigation will continue.
"The police and security services will be given all the resources they need to complete that task.
"The police and security services believe they know the identity of the perpetrator but at this stage of their investigations we cannot confirm his name.
"The police and emergency services have as always acted with great courage and on behalf of the country I want to express our gratitude to them - they acted in accordance with the plans they have in place and the exercises they conduct to test those plans and they performed with the utmost professionalism.
"Four hundred police officers were involved in the operation through the night and many paramedics, doctors, and nurses have worked valiantly amid traumatic and terrible scenes to save lives and care for the wounded.
"Significant resources have been deployed to the police investigation and there continues to be visible patrols around Manchester, which include the deployment of armed officers.
"For people who live and work in Manchester there remains a large cordon in place around Manchester Arena and Victoria Station, which will be in place for some time.
"The station is closed and will remain closed while a detailed forensic search is under way.
"We know that many friends and relatives of people caught up in the attack are still trying to find out what has happened to their children, brothers and sisters, parents and loved ones.
"So please, think of those people who are experiencing unimaginable worry and if you have any information at all relating to the attack, please contact Greater Manchester Police.
"The threat level remains at severe - that means a terrorist attack remains highly likely. But the independent Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, which sets the threat level on the basis of the intelligence available to them, will continue to assess this throughout today and in the days ahead.
"Later today I will travel to Manchester to meet the chief constable of Greater Manchester Police Ian Hopkins, the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, and members of the emergency services who have come to Manchester's aid in its moment of need.
"And, as I announced last night, the General Election campaign has been suspended.
"I will chair another meeting of Cobra later today.
"At terrible moments like these, it is customary for leaders, politicians, and others to condemn the perpetators and declare that the terrorists will not win.
"But the fact we have been here before and the fact we need to say this again does not make it any less true.
"For as so often while we experienced the worst of humanity in Manchester last night, we also saw the best.
"The cowardice of the attacker met the bravery of the emergency services and the people of Manchester.
"The attempt to divide us met countless acts of kindness that brought people closer together, and in the days ahead those must be the things we remember.
"The images we hold in our minds should not be those of senseless slaughter but of the ordinary men and women who put concerns about their own safety to one side and rushed to help.
"Of the men and women of the emergency services who worked tirelessly to bring comfort, to help, and to save lives.
"Of the messages of solidarity and hope, of all those who opened their homes to the victims.
"For they are the images that embody the spirit of Manchester and the spirit of Britain - a spirit that through years of conflict and terrorism has never been broken and will never be broken.
"There will be difficult days ahead. We offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of those affected.
"We offer our full support to the authorities, the emergency and the security services as they go about their work, and we all - every single one of us- stand with the people of Manchester at this terrible time.
"And today, let us remember those who died and let us celebrate those who helped - safe in the knowledge that the terrorists will never win and our values, our country, and our way of life will always prevail."
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn gave a televised statement in which he echoed Theresa May’s defiance.
He said: "This is the most appalling act of violence that has taken the lives of young people who were at a music event to enjoy themselves.”
"In these circumstances we have to come together, in these circumstances a city and a community comes together.
"So we carry on, we don’t allow these attacks and these people to divide us or prevent us from leading the decent, normal lives that we all want to lead."
Ministers met for an emergency COBRA meeting this morning, and the Prime Minister will chair another one later today.
A vigil was held this evening in Manchester where hundreds turned out to reflect and remember the events of the past 24 hours.
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The PM said that the threat level for the UK will remain "severe" for the time-being, but officials will consider today whether it should be raised to "critical", the highest level possible.
Chancellor Philip Hammond was in Brussels for a meeting of finance ministers this morning, but will return to London earlier than planned. He described the attack as "barbaric".
Newly elected metro Mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, appeared via video link.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson both attended alongside a number of top-level security officials.
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Some 59 people were injured - including children - in the cowardly attack which came towards the end of the concert by Ariana Grande.
Police are reviewing security arrangements in London today, Mayor Sadiq Khan has said.
The attack came exactly four years to the day since Fusilier Lee Rigby's murder by Islamic extremists.
Mrs May had been due to visit South-west England after her campaign was rocked by a social care policy U-turn.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said earlier that he had spoken with Mrs May.
He said: “We have agreed that all national campaigning in the General Election will be suspended until further notice.”
He added: “I am horrified by the horrendous events in Manchester last night.
“My thoughts are with families and friends of those who have died and been injured.
“Today the whole country will grieve for the people who have lost their lives."
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A suicide bomber slaughtered at least 22 people at a packed concert last night - in the worst terror attack in the UK since 7/7.
Thousands who had watched the appearance fled after hearing a “massive bang” with crowds of screaming and crying teens rushing from the venue.
Witnesses told of seeing shards of metal tearing into concertgoers in the foyer area of the world-famous concert venue – leaving dozens lying in pools of blood.
The horrific blast could be heard echoing through the packed arena as families tried to make their way home as the concert came to an end just after 10.40pm.
Witnesses told how nuts and bolts were sent flying in the blast at the foyer area as fans made their way to Manchester Victoria train station next door.
The singer tweeted this morning: "broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words."
Many of those who attended the concert are still missing.
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