28 May, 2017
Manchester police at one point stopped sharing investigative information with the US until they are guaranteed an end to media leaks, a British official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.
Suspected Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi had expressed a desire to avenge the killing of a friend in the British city previous year, a source close to his family said today.
Authorities believe he had help in building the bomb, which photographs published by the New York Times showed was sophisticated and powerful, and that his accomplices could be ready to strike again.
Explosives were found at one site, the Independent reported, citing security service sources. Based on the account from a younger brother, investigators think Abedi used the Internet to learn how to make a bomb and "seek victory for the Islamic State", bin Salem said.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said the eight suspects detained so far were "significant" arrests and said the searches will take several more days to complete.
"Compared to other people I'm quite lucky really", she said.
Earlier, the Greater Manchester Police condemned the investigation leaks on behalf of the National Counter-Terrorism Policing units in a statement that suggested a severe rupture in trust between Britain and the United States.
US pop star Ariana Grande said on Friday that she will hold a benefit concert in Manchester for the victims of Monday's suicide bombing in the English city.
Abedi's family remained a focus, too, with a brother in England, his father and another brother in Libya among those being detained.
The first arrest made in Britain on Tuesday was reported by British and U.S. media to be Abedi's older brother.
On Wednesday morning, Amber Rudd, Britain's home secretary, said the leaks in the US media were "irritating" and should not happen again. Her French counterpart Gerard Collomb said he had links with Daesh and had probably visited Syria as well.
Authorities in Britain have become increasingly angered by United States leaks from the investigation, including the bomber's name on Tuesday and the photos of blood-stained fragments from the bomb on Wednesday.
"When the trust is breached it undermines these relationships, and undermines our investigations and the confidence of victims, witnesses and their family", the statement said.
"The images and information presented were neither graphic nor disrespectful of victims, and consistent with the common line of reporting on weapons used in horrific crimes", the paper said.
Abedi's relative said the suspected bomber was pained by the killing of Abdel-Wahab Hafidah, an 18-year-old who news reports say was chased by a group of men, run over and stabbed in the neck in Manchester in May 2016.
