Donald Trump vows he’ll ‘get to the bottom’ of Manchester terror leaks US spies after Theresa May complains to him about US spies
GROVELLING Donald Trump last night promised to prosecute US spies who leaked Manchester terror probe details after an ear bashing from Theresa May.
But the ban on information sharing has now been lifted, with Brit authorities saying they had received "fresh assurances" from international law enforcement organisations.
National ICT policing lead Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said: "We greatly value the crucial relationship with our trusted partners around the world so we can collaborate and share sensitive information to defeat terrorism and protect the public at home and abroad.
"While we do not usually comment on information sharing arrangements with international law enforcement organisations we want to emphasise that, having received fresh assurances, we are now working closely with our key partners around the world including all those in the 'Five Eyes' intelligence alliance."
The New York Times has since defended its publication of photos to do with the bombing, saying they were "neither graphic nor disrespectful of victims".
The leaks had angered British authorities because it has undermined the hunt for accomplices of bomber Salman Abedi.
Theresa May promised to confront Mr Trump over the leaks ahead of their meeting at a Nato summit in Brussels today.
He responded by announcing a review into how the information became public, saying that the leaker would be prosecuted for damaging the anti-terror operation.
The President said: "The alleged leaks coming out of government agencies are deeply troubling.
"These leaks have been going on for a long time, and my administration will get to the bottom of this.
"The leaks of sensitive information pose a grave threat to our national security."
In his statement, Mr Trump continued: "I am asking the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies to launch a complete review of this matter, and if appropriate, the culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
"There is no relationship we cherish more than the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom."
The leaks - which included Abedi's name, details of arrests in the investigation and photographs of the bomb he set off - have threatened to cause permanent damage to the UK-US relationship.
This morning, British authorities said they would stop sharing intelligence about the Manchester operation with their American counterparts.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd vowed to tell the Americans to stop leaking, while her predecessor David Blunkett said those responsible had "lost their marbles".
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The PM said: "I will be making clear to President Trump today that intelligence that is shared between law enforcement agencies must be shared securely."
US media was first to report the fact that Abedi used a nail bomb to kill his 22 victims on Monday night, and the first to confirm his name - all based on intelligence leaks.
The last straw seems to have come yesterday evening, when the New York Times posted several images showing the remains of the actual bomb used in the attack.
Greater Manchester Police today said that the leak caused "distress and upset" to the families of victims.
The acting US ambassador, Lew Lukes, said the leaks were "reprehensible and deeply distressing".
He told BBC Radio 4: "The United States government absolutely condemns these leaks and it’s a tragedy that people’s attention is being taken away from the victims and the investigation on this issue."
Despite Mr Trump's pledge to stop the leaks, Britain's former terror ombudsman urged the US to do more.
Lord Carlile told Sky News: "'Troubling' is a pathetic description by President Trump. He has to get a grip of his security services."
As well as his comments on leaking, the President paid tribute to victims of the Manchester bombing during his visit to Brussels.
Mr Trump said: "Innocent little girls and so many others were horribly murdered and badly injured while attending a concert.
"Beautiful lives with so much great potential, torn from their families for ever and ever. It was a barbaric and vicious attack on our civilisation.
"All people who cherish life must unite in finding, exposing and removing these killers and extremists - and, yes, losers - they are losers."
The President's administration has been plagued with leaks ever since he took power four months ago.
Rogue members of the intelligence agency have repeatedly briefed the media on links between Mr Trump's aides and the Russian government, initially uncovered by the FBI and CIA.
US newspapers have also published the details of head-to-head conversations between the President and foreign dignitaries.
Mr Trump has made it a priority to hunt down the leakers, but so far has not been able to prosecute any of the suspects.