PRESIDENT Trump has said he will prosecute American security officials leaking sensitive details about the investigation into suicide bomber Salman Abedi.
Greater Manchester Police say they have been forced to stop sharing intelligence with colleagues in America because of the constant leaking of information to US media. The unprecedented move came after the New York Times printed details about the the shrapnel, backpack and battery Abedi had strapped around his torso when he launched his deadly attack in Manchester on Monday night.
Ian Hopkins, the force’s Chief Constable said the leaks had “caused much distress for families that are already suffering terribly with their loss”.
The UK’s National Police Chiefs’ Council said the Americans had potentially undermined the investigation into Abedi and his network.
They added: “This damage is even greater when it involves unauthorised disclosure of potential evidence in the middle of a major counter-terrorism investigation.”
The disclosure of potential evidence “undermines our investigations and the confidence of victims, witnesses and their families,” it added.
Nicola Sturgeon also condemned the “unacceptable” leaks of highly sensitive information.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions yesterday she said the ability of countries to share intelligence confidentially and securely helps keeps people safe and the move could have “compromised the investigation”.
“I share the UK Government’s anger and disbelief that very sensitive details from an on-going live investigation have been leaked to the media in America. That is completely unacceptable and I think that all of us should make it clear that it is unacceptable and cannot be defended in any way, shape or form,” she said.
“I know that the UK Government will have taken its decision with regret, but it is right to stop sharing – for a short period, I hope – such intelligence information with the American government.
“I know that the UK Government will want to do that for as short a period as possible and that the Prime Minister has said that she will raise the issue with President Trump.
“I very much hope that the American government will give assurances that allow a speedy return to the sharing of intelligence, which is such an important part of keeping safe not just the population in the UK but populations around the world.”
She added: “Let us be in no doubt that what we have read and seen in American newspapers over the past couple of days is completely unacceptable and potentially compromises the investigation that is under way into the atrocity that we saw in Manchester on Monday night.”
The Prime Minister said she would raise the leaks with Trump in the margins of a Nato summit in Brussels, stressing that the “special relationship” was based on trust.
She said: “Part of that trust is knowing that intelligence can be shared confidently and I will be making clear to President Trump today that intelligence that is shared between law enforcement agencies must remain secure.”
In White House statement, Trump threatened punitive action against the leakers: “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.
“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 New York Times defended their decision to print the details and pictures: “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.”
Since coming into office Trump has frequently criticised leaks from his government, many of them revealing information that has been embarrassing or politically damaging to him.
In his first month in office, he called for a Justice Department investigation into what he said were “criminal leaks.”
However, he himself, possibly inadvertently, leaked highly sensitive information to senior Russian officials just two weeks ago.
The Israeli government, who had passed that information on to the Americans, have also decided to review their information sharing.
In a bid to assuage British anger, Secretary of State Rex W Tillerson is to fly to London today.
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