Manchester, England (CNN)UK Prime Minister Theresa May said Thursday she would raise leaks to US media
from the Manchester bombing investigation with US President Donald
Trump when the pair meet later at a NATO summit in Brussels, Belgium.
"I
will make clear to President Trump that intelligence that is shared
between our law enforcement agencies must remain secure," she said,
following a cabinet-level security meeting in Westminster.
The
United States has faced growing criticism from UK lawmakers over the
leaks, amid concern they could disrupt the fast-moving investigation
into Monday night's attack against concertgoers.
Key developments
- Mayor: Investigation leaks are "arrogant"
- Police: Leaks could "undermine our investigations"
- Queen visits injured at a Manchester hospital
- UK terror threat remains at highest level
- Fifteen victims have so far been identified
Leaks were 'arrogant'
May's
statement came a day after UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd said the leaks
were "irritating," and that she had made it clear to the United States
that it "should not happen again."
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told the BBC on Thursday that the leaks were "arrogant."
He
added, "The cooperation between the US and the UK on intelligence
matters is crucial for security around the world, so we can't... this
can't see both sides pulling away, but that is why the Prime Minister,
the government, are right to make this an issue at the summit today, and
it's why I have taken a step of speaking out too, and making my
concerns known."
Burnham, a Labour mayor, also said he had spoken with the US ambassador to Britain about his concerns.
Two
Labour lawmakers tweeted their concern Wednesday. Yvette Cooper said
she was very troubled by the leaks amidst a "live investigation where
public safety at risk," while Lilian Greenwood asked, "What is the
Government doing with US counterparts to address these breaches?"
US
sources were the first to reveal the identity of the bomber,
22-year-old Salman Abedi, leading to concern that police efforts to hunt
down his associates could be impacted.
On Wednesday, The New York Times
posted photos that show what it said could be the detonator, a battery,
nuts and screws for shrapnel, and fragments of a backpack used in the
attack.
Britain's National Police Chiefs' Council warned Wednesday that leaks of potential evidence "undermine our investigations."
A
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokeswoman did not comment to CNN on
the New York Times' photo publication. The paper, without specifying the
source, said British authorities provided access to photos of materials
found at the scene.
UK holds moment of silence
Monday's
attack, which came as people were leaving an Ariana Grande concert at
Manchester Arena, took the lives of at least 22 people, including
several children. Dozens were also wounded in the incident.
Identification of victims continues -- as of Thursday morning local time 15 people who died in the blast have been named.
The
family of 14-year-old Eilidh MacLeod released a statement through the
police that spoke of their "devastation". "Eilidh was vivacious and full
of fun. She loved all music whether it was listening to Ariana or
playing the bagpipes with her pipe band," it said.
The
grandfather of another teenage victim Sorrell Leczkowski, said he was
"absolutely heartbroken" to confirm that she had died. "Sorrell was only
14, but she was our rock, she kept us all grounded. She was such a
clever, talented, creative girl, there was nothing she couldn't do,"
said Michael Healy. Sorrell's mother and grandmother were both injured,
he said.
Queen
Elizabeth II arrived Thursday morning at the Manchester Royal Infirmary
and Children's Hospital, where some of the wounded from Monday's
bombing are being treated.
Shortly beforehand, a
moment of silence was held as the United Kingdom continued to come to
terms with its worst terror attack since the 2005 London bombings. On
Wednesday night, a win for soccer side Manchester United in the Europa League final in Stockholm was dedicated to the victims.
The
Greater Manchester Police also warned late Wednesday of fraudulent
online fundraising for the families of the victims, and pointed Twitter
users to a legitimate JustGiving page.
Bomber's brother arrested in Libya
Meanwhile,
investigators are focused on tracking down associates of Abedi, a
British-born national of Libyan descent. "It is very clear that this is a
network we are investigating," said Greater Manchester Police Chief
Constable Ian Hopkins.
Two
more men were arrested early Thursday morning, bringing the number in
custody in connection to the bombing to eight. A woman arrested in a
raid in Blackley, Manchester, was released late Wednesday without
charge, police said.
Salman Abedi
New
details about Abedi emerged Wednesday, including that he had been known
to intelligence services, Rudd told the BBC. He had been in Libya for
three weeks and returned days before his attack, US military officials
told CNN.
According
to a family friend who asked not to be identified, the boys' father had
taken his sons to Libya in mid-April and confiscated their passports so
they couldn't return to the UK where they'd been in trouble with gangs.
Abedi got his passport back after telling his father he was going on a
pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, but returned to England instead.
Hashim Ramadan Abu Qassem al-Abedi
In
Libya, Abedi's brother -- identified as 20-year-old Hashim Ramadan Abu
Qassem al-Abedi -- was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of links to
ISIS, according to a statement from a Tripoli militia known as the
Special Deterrence Force.
The
militia, aligned with the Libyan government, said that the younger
Abedi was allegedly planning a terror attack in Libya when arrested. He
was picked up while allegedly receiving a money transfer from Salman
Abedi. The statement also said he left the UK in mid-April and had been
under surveillance about a month and a half.
CNN
has not been able to independently verify the details from the militia,
which also claimed the younger Abedi admitted knowledge about the
Manchester attack and was in Britain for its planning.
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