Islamic State claim responsibility for attack
The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for the Manchester suicide bombing that killed 22 people, including children in an explosion that tore through fans leaving an Ariana Grande pop concert in Manchester. As the first arrest was made in connection with the attack, Prime Minister Theresa May disclosed that the authorities believe they know the identity of the man who carried out the atrocity.
Facebook activates safety check feature Facebook has activated its safety check feature so people can let loved ones know they are safe, and an emergency helpline, 0161 856 9400, has been set up for those searching for loved ones.
Half the victims taken to one hospital were children A spokesman for Manchester Royal Infirmary, which sits on the same site as Royal Manchester Children's hospital, confirmed that the casualties that were sent there were divided roughly in half between adult and children's units, reports Henry Bodkin. It is unclear if this relates to those who were killed or injured. The hospitals are two of the eight where victims of the suicide bombing were taken.
Europa cup final to continue on schedule
Man Utd's Uefa game in Stockholm to go ahead Uefa has confirmed that tomorrow night's Europa League football final, involving Manchester United, will go ahead as planned in Stockholm despite last night's bomb blast at Manchester Arena.
Heightened security measures are already in place for the event following the recent attack in the Swedish capital. Manchester United, who earlier tweeted their shock and sympathies to the victims and their families, travel there later today. Meanwhile, England Netball, which is due to use the Manchester Arena next month, has temporarily suspended tickets sales for its June 10-11 Vitality Netball Superleague Final Four event at the venue.
But the organisation has no intention of moving the event provided the arena is re-opened before June 10. A statement read: "Following the tragic events at Manchester Arena last night, England Netball has chosen to temporarily suspend ticket sales for the Final Four. "We will release a further update in due course, for now, our thoughts and condolences are with those in Manchester."
Manchester United players have held a minute's silence in honor of the victims of the attack at Manchester Arena before a first team training session, ahead of the Uefa Europa League Final.
Man arrested in connection to bombing
Breaking: Man, 23, arrested in connection with bombing A 23-year-old man has been arrested in South Manchester in connection with the Manchester bomb attack, Greater Manchester Police said. A spokesman said: "With regards to the ongoing investigation into last night’s horrific attack at the Manchester arena, we can confirm we have arrested a 23-year-old man in South Manchester. "
Statement from the Queen
The Queen has expressed her "deepest sympathy" to all those affected by the Manchester bomb attack, adding that "the whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury". She said in a statement: "The whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury in Manchester last night of so many people, adults and children, who had just been enjoying a concert.
I know I speak for everyone in expressing my deepest sympathy to all who have been affected by this dreadful event and especially to the families and friends of those who have died or were injured. I want to thank all the members of the emergency services, who have responded with such professionalism and care. And I would like to express my admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded, with humanity and compassion, to this act of barbarity." Meanwhile, a Buckingham Palace garden party this afternoon will still go ahead, but the Queen is expected to observe a minute's silence when she arrives.
MI5 chief condemns 'disgusting' attack Andrew Parker, the Director General of MI5, has condemned the terrorist attack in Manchester as "disgusting" and said the security service remains "relentlessly focused, in numerous current operations, on doing all we can to combat the scourge of terrorism and keep the country safe".
Theresa May on the attack and who attended the COBRA meeting?
Here's more from Mrs May outside Downing Street a few minutes ago: "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. 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."
Who has attended the Cobra meeting?
Present at the hour-long Cobra meeting were Mrs May, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon and Health Minister Philip Dunne. Manchester Metro Mayor Andy Burnham and Security Minister Ben Wallace joined the meeting by video-link from Manchester.
Also present were representatives of the police, including the UK's most senior counter-terrorism officer, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, as well as security agencies and Whitehall officials.
