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Manchester attack latest: Two more men arrested and controlled explosion carried out as police probe 'network'

Two men were arrested this morning in connection with Monday's terror attack in Manchester as investigators probed a "network" linked to the suicide bomber.

One man was arrested after a property was searched in the Withington area of Manchester, while another was detained elsewhere in the city, Greater Manchester Police said.

Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi
Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi

The arrests take the total number of men in custody to eight after a series of raids across Manchester, Wigan and Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

A woman had also been arrested in Manchester last night during an armed raid on a block of flats in Blackley but was later released without charge. 

The arrests came after detectives carried out a controlled explosion as they searched a property in the Moss Side area of Manchester in the early hours of Thursday.

Leaked bomb pictures

Meanwhile, the father and brother of suicide bomber Salman Abedi were arrested in Libya. 

Abedi's father, Ramadan Abedi, was allegedly a member of the al-Qaeda-backed Libyan Islamic Fighting group in the 1990s, according to a former Libyan security official, Abdel-Basit Haroun.

The elder Abedi denied that he was part of the militant group and told The Associated Press that his son was not involved in the concert bombing and had no connection to militants.

Father of Salman Abedi, Ramadan - Credit:  
Father of Salman Abedi, Ramadan Credit:

"We don't believe in killing innocents. This is not us," the 51-year-old Abedi said in a telephone interview from Tripoli.

He said he spoke to his son five days ago and that he was getting ready for a religious pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. He said his son visited Libya a month and a half ago and was planning to return to Libya to spend the holy month of Ramadan with the family. He also denied his son had spent time in Syria or fought with the Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for the concert bombing.

"Last time I spoke to him, he sounded normal. There was nothing worrying at all until ... I heard the news that they are suspecting he was the bomber," the elder Abedi said.

Troops patrol British streets

He confirmed that another son, Ismail, 23, was arrested on Tuesday in Manchester. A third son, 18-year-old Hashim, was arrested in Tripoli late last night, according to a Libyan government spokesman, Ahmed bin Salem. The elder Abedi was arrested shortly after speaking to the AP, Salem said.

The anti-terror force that took Hashim Abedi into custody said the teenager had confessed that both he and his brother were members of the Islamic State group and that he "knew all the details" of the Manchester attack plot.

An armed soldier in Downing Street - Credit: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP
An armed soldier on patrol in Downing Street on Wednesday afternoon Credit: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP

A spokesman for the Libyan authorities told BBC2's Newsnight: "His brother felt there was something going on there in Manchester and he thought his brother would do something like bombing or attack."

The spokesman added that Libyan authorities were aware of Abedi going to the capital of Tripoli on April 18 and believed he stayed for two or three weeks.

He revealed that Abedi's younger brother Hashim had been investigated for about a month and a half over suspicions that he was linked to IS.

Explosion rocks Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, in pictures

"We were not quite sure about this, but when we arrested and we asked him, he told us, 'I have ideology with my brother'. Hashim told us, 'I know everything about my brother, what he was doing there in Manchester'."

Ramadan Abedi fled Tripoli in 1993 after Muammar Gaddafii's security authorities issued an arrest warrant. He spent 25 years in Britain before returning to Libya in 2011 after Gaddafi was ousted and killed in the country's civil war.

Three of the known victims of the attack
Three of the known victims of the attack - from left: Saffie-Rose Roussos, Georgina Callander and John Atkinson

He is now a manager of the Central Security force in Tripoli.

British police said on Wednesday they had not yet found the bomb maker in the Manchester Arena attack, indicating Salman Abedi was part of a larger cell.

"It's very clear this is a network we are investigating," Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said.

7:22AM

Morning summary

Morning, here is a brief summary of the developments overnight: 

The investigation

  • Police raid property in Moss Side area of city

  • Detectives carried out a controlled explosion

  • Two arrests made - bringing total to eight

  • Woman arrested in Blackley is released without charge

The victims

The terror situation

7:00AM

'Eilidh was vivacious and full of fun'

In a statement released through police, Eilidh MacLeod's parents Roddy and Marion said:

"Our family is devastated and words cannot express how we feel at losing our darling Eilidh.

"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.

"As a family we would like to express our thanks and gratitude for the support and kind messages we have received at this difficult time."

The 14-year-old had been missing since being caught up in the blast with her friend Laura MacIntyre, 15, at the Manchester Arena on Monday night.

Eilidh MacLeod - Credit:   
Eilidh MacLeod Credit:

Laura is being treated in hospital after suffering serious burns in the attack.

6:45AM

Scottish teenager confirmed dead

The parents of Eilidh MacLeod, from the remote Hebridean island of Barra, have issued a statement confirming the 14-year-old died in the attack.

"Words cannot express how we feel at losing our darling Eilidh."

6:16AM

Police make more arrests

Two more arrests have been made this morning in connection with Monday's attack.

Greater Manchester Police said a man was detained after searches were carried out at an address in the Withington area of Manchester.  

Another man was arrested in the Manchester area, bringing the number of men in custody to eight.

The arrests come after a controlled explosion was carried out in the Moss Side area of the city earlier this morning. 

5:58AM

Bomb shows  'we're not dealing with a lone wolf situation'

A US congressman says the bomb used in the deadly Manchester Arena attack suggests a "level of sophistication" that might indicate its maker had foreign training.

Texas Republican Mike McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, has told The Associated Press the bomb that killed 22 people and the alleged attacker was "a classic explosive device used by terrorists".

Mr McCaul said the device used the explosive TATP, the same one used in the deadly November 2015 attacks in Paris and the March 2016 attack in Brussels carried out by Islamic State extremists.

Leaked bomb pictures

McCaul was due to get an intelligence briefing on the Manchester attack later on Wednesday.

He says the evidence so far suggests "we're not dealing with a lone wolf situation."

Echoing the comments of British officials, he said: "There's a network - a cell of ISIS-inspired terrorists."

5:15AM

'She was our rock'

Tributes continue to be paid to the victims who died in Monday's attack.

Michael Healey, the grandfather of Sorrell Leczkowski, has said he is  "absolutely heartbroken" to confirm she was killed in the Manchester attack.

"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.

"She was going to be an architect and wanted to go to Columbia University in New York to study so that she could build hotels with slides coming out of the rooms and so that she could build her mum a house. 

In a statement issued through Greater Manchester Police, he said his wife Pauline remains in intensive care and Sorrell's mother Samantha is recovering from surgery "as she tries to make sense of the devastating loss of her daughter".

The family of Martyn Hett, who made a huge impression with the online community through his Twitter account and humorous YouTube videos, paid tribute  to the "icon of all our lives".

"Words cannot describe the generosity and kindness our families have received over the last few days. We are overwhelmed with the amount of lives he has touched and the kind words that are being said about him.

"Martyn was the icon of all our lives. His infectious laugh and his niche sense of humour will stay with us forever.

"He lived for every moment of every day and fitted an entire lifetime of memories into his 29 years.

"Whilst they have taken the life out of Martyn, no one can, and ever will, take Martyn out of our lives."

Victims of the Manchester suicide bomb attack named, in pictures 4:26AM

Woman released without charge

Police say the woman arrested earlier in Blackley has been released without charge. 

The woman was detained after an armed raid on a block of flats in the north of Manchester. 

4:20AM

How to donate to families affected by attack

Greater Manchester Police have urged the public to be wary about how to donate to families of those killed in the attacks.

The force said there are fraudulent fund raising pages on the internet, concerns of which were also raised after the Westminster attack in March

People are urged to use the JustGiving page set up to help families affected by the Manchester atrocity. 

So far, it has raised more than £1.2 million of the £2 million target. 

2:46AM

Another 'controlled explosion'

Greater Manchester Police say a controlled explosion has been carried out during a search of an address in the Moss Side area of the city.

The search was related to Monday's attack but no more details were given.

2:20AM

Was bomber driven by revenge?

Abedi's sister, Jomana, believes her brother was driven by revenge, though she says she was surprised by his actions. She told the Wall Street Journal:

“I think he saw children—Muslim children—dying everywhere, and wanted revenge. He saw the explosives America drops on children in Syria, and he wanted revenge. Whether he got that is between him and God.”

 

12:44AM

'Their wings were ready, our hearts were not'

Greater Manchester Police have shared a heartbreaking tribute from the families of Chloe Rutherford, 17, and Liam Curry, 19, who died in the attack. 

12:28AM

Extra police on patrol in Nuneaton

Warwickshire Police said extra officers were out on patrol to offer reassurance and address any concerns from members of the public after the arrest in Nuneaton. Assistant Chief Constable Martin Evans said:

"I know many people in our communities will be very concerned about the raised terror level threat and the recent arrest in Nuneaton.

"Our colleagues from Greater Manchester Police are leading on this investigation.

"We will continue to have increased high-visibility police patrols across Warwickshire to provide community reassurance.

"I continue to urge the public to be vigilant, to remain alert but not alarmed and to report any suspicious activity to the police by calling the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789321. In an emergency always dial 999."

12:19AM

Abedi 'called mother before attack'

A spokesman for the Libyan authorities told BBC2's Newsnight that one of Abedi's final acts before the murders was to ring his mother. The spokesman said:

"His brother felt there was something going on there in Manchester and he thought his brother would do something like bombing or attack. So after that, he told us, 'Having internet, I see the attack in Manchester and I knew that's my brother'."

The spokesman added that Libyan authorities were aware of Abedi going to the capital of Tripoli on April 18 and believed he stayed for two or three weeks.

He revealed that Abedi's younger brother Hashim had been investigated for about a month and a half over suspicions that he was linked to IS.

"We were not quite sure about this, but when we arrested and we asked him, he told us, 'I have ideology with my brother'. Hashim told us, 'I know everything about my brother, what he was doing there in Manchester'."

11:18PM

Man Utd dedicate Europa League win to victims

 

10:47PM

Further arrest - in Warwickshire

A man has been arrested at an address in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, following  searches connected to the Manchester Arena suicide bombing, police said. 

Greater Manchester Police said: "We have been carrying out searching at an address in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and arrested a man.

"These searches are connected to Monday's attack on the Manchester Arena."

It brings the total arrests to six men and one woman, all of whom are in custody and being questioned by police.

 

10:44PM

Police 'find more explosives in searches following Manchester bombing'

Police and security services have found more explosives which could have been used in follow-up attacks to Monday's bombing which killed 22 in Manchester, the Independent reported citing security sources.

The news organisation said one device had been blown up in a controlled explosion, and that security services were concerned that further bombs could have been created by a network intent on carrying out further attacks.

10:43PM

Pizza for Manchester, from Boston with love

It was a small gesture that kept a fabled Boston newspaper fed during difficult times, one they thought frazzled reporters in Manchester would appreciate too, AFP reports.

So they sent pizzas across the Atlantic.

Editors at The Boston Globe came up with the idea the day after a suicide bomber killed 22 people and wounded dozens more at a concert at the city thousands of miles away in northern England.

"We decided it would be nice to do something for the people of the Manchester Evening News," says Emily Procknal, community relations manager at The Boston Globe.

Journalists at the Boston daily were themselves the recipients of pizza sent by the Chicago Tribune in the wake of the double bombing of the Massachusetts's city marathon in April 2013.

Neither is it the first time the gesture has been repeated. Several media outlets sent pizzas to a newspaper in Orlando after a nightclub attack in June 2016, others were sent to The Baltimore Sun as journalists covered riots that swept the city in April 2015.

"Newsrooms in the US have kind of started doing this," explained Procknal.

The Manchester Evening News appears to have appreciated the thought from across the Pond. "Thanks friends," tweeted the newspaper on Wednesday next to a picture of a fast emptying pizza boxes.

10:40PM

Andy Burnham 'troubled' by leaks to US media

 

10:31PM

Man City show their support

 

10:29PM

Victim's mother: don't let terror attack beat us

The mother of one of the Manchester attack victims has begged crowds at a vigil not to let the atrocity "beat any of us".

Olivia Campbell, from Bury, Greater Manchester, was among the first of the bombing victims to be named.

Olivia's family had spent Tuesday frantically searching for the 15-year-old, but in the early hours of Wednesday Charlotte Campbell revealed her daughter had died in the blast.

Alongside a photo of Olivia, she wrote on Facebook: "RIP my darling precious gorgeous girl Olivia Campbell taken far far too soon go sing with the angels and keep smiling mummy loves you so much."

Olivia Campbell
Olivia Campbell

Attending a vigil in Bury, she said: "I can't thank you enough for what you've done for us - for being here, for giving us your support, for sharing her everywhere.

"This is such a hard time for us, I had to come, I didn't know what to do, I don't know where to be, I don't know what to do.

"I just knew - something told me I had to come here."

The crowd applauded as the grieving mother broke down.

She went on: "As a family, we're united, we're standing strong. I ask her friends, strangers, relatives to do the same.

"Please stay together, don't let this beat any of us, please. Don't let my daughter be a victim."

10:11PM

Theresa May expected to raise US intelligence leaks with Donald Trump at Nato summit

Theresa May is expected to raise UK concerns over the leaking of intelligence about the Manchester bomb attack to the US press when she meets Donald Trump on Thursday.

British ministers have voiced their anger to American counterparts after photographs apparently showing bloodstained fragments from the Manchester concert bomb were published in the New York Times (NYT).

The pictures appeared a day after the bomber's name was briefed to the US media against the wishes of Greater Manchester Police, and just hours after Home Secretary Amber Rudd issued a plea to US authorities not to leak material about the atrocity.

 

Possible trigger switch located in suspect’s left hand
Possible trigger switch located in suspect’s left hand

The disclosure is regarded as "completely unacceptable" by Britain, both because of the distress it may cause families of those killed or injured and because of the risk it could complicate ongoing investigations.

The row - which goes to the heart of the close intelligence-sharing relationship between the transatlantic allies - provides an awkward backdrop to the Prime Minister's meeting with President Trump at the Nato summit in Brussels.

A Whitehall source said: "We are furious. This is completely unacceptable."

Read the full story.

10:02PM

Reports of bomb disposal unit in central Manchester

 

9:42PM

Man Utd give the city a boost

Manchester United beat Ajax 2-0 to win Europa League on emotional night inStockholm.

There had been a tribute before kick-off.

 

9:15PM

Footage of Abedi 'at Arndale Centre on Friday evening'

Sky News has broadcast images from police that apparently show Abedi at Manchester's Arndale Centre last Friday evening, three days before the suicide attack:

Police believe that these are pictures of Salman Abedi in the Arndale Centre -
@skymartinbrunt has the latest on the #ManchesterAttackpic.twitter.com/mG3fNxy7NY

— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 24, 2017

 

8:56PM

Woman arrested in connection with Manchester attack

A woman has been arrested in connection with the Manchester Arena suicide  bombing following an armed raid on a block of flats in Blackley, in the north of  the city, Greater Manchester Police said. 

Residents heard a "huge bang" as officers carrying firearms raided an address in Blackley on Wednesday evening.

Greater Manchester Police said: "A search was carried out and a woman has been arrested in connection with the investigation into the Manchester Arena incident."

Alex Finnie, 54, said armed police and "men who looked like soldiers" were involved in the swoop, which he believed was on the 12th floor.

He heard a noise which sounded like windows being blown out as police entered the flat.

He then saw a woman with dark hair and wearing a blue shirt with her hands cuffed behind her back and pressed up against a window.

He told the Press Association: "When the bang went I heard screaming and shouting and then they took the woman out.

"She was facing this way out the window and a couple of minutes later two armed police took her away.

"After the first one I heard loud banging on another door but on the same floor."

The woman was driven away in a police van, he said, adding that armed police were preventing residents from accessing the floor.

Resident Chris Barlow said there was a "huge bang" and "huge police presence".

"There was about 30 people on the street - they said there's been an explosion at the flats, a bomb or explosion," he told the Press Association.

"There's CTU (counter terrorism unit) special forces - I spoke to one officer and they said they blew the door in and took a couple of people away."

James Mooney, 27, said his sister was inside her flat on the 12th floor and had not been in touch since the "bang" sounded at around 6.50pm.

"I was on the phone to her," he said.

"There was a big bang and she went 'oh no' and she dropped her phone or something."

The family have been unable to get hold of Louise, 34 - but said police did not appear to think there was reason for them to worry.

"I told them my daughter is in there and they just said they would update us in a bit," father John Mooney, 53, said.

Police remain posted outside the building, with officers only allowing residents to access the last stretch of road leading to the block.

8:52PM

Police 'believe Manchester bomber was in city centre flat before attack'

Police believe the Manchester bomber was in a city centre flat before he carried out the atrocity, according to a nearby bar owner who says officers asked him for his CCTV footage, PA reports.

Armed police and officers clad in camouflage raided Granby House, on Granby Row, close to Manchester Piccadilly Station on Wednesday in connection with the arena attack.

David Foran, who owns the Retro Bar on Sackville Street, around the corner from the block of flats, said police asked him for CCTV footage from his pub.

He said he was watching the raid unfold from the top of the street when a member of his staff came over to him with two men who wanted to speak to him.

Mr Foran said the men were not dressed in uniform but he was shown a badge, and he said they told him they were from the police and were combing the area for CCTV.

"I just asked him why, and he just turned round and said he has reason to believe that the chap who's done the bombing visited Granby Row around 7pm on Monday evening before the explosion," he said.

Mr Foran said the camera outside his bar that the man was asking about does not work.

8:35PM

Hashim Abedi, brother of the Manchester attacker, pictured

Hashim Abedi
Hashim Abedi, who has been arrested in Tripoli

 

8:24PM

Coronation Street pays tribute to Manchester victims

Coronation Street paid tribute to the victims of the Manchester terror attack in its episode on Wednesday night.

The ITV soap, which is set in Manchester, posted a photograph of candles and flowers laid out in a makeshift memorial as the instalment came to an end.

A message along the bottom read: "We Stand Together."

Corrie viewers said on social media that they were touched by the "lovely tribute".

One person posted on Twitter: "So proud to be a fan of this soap! That was a lovely thing to do £Corrie! WE STAND TOGETHER."

"A fine tribute at the end of £Corrie," said another.

One of the victims of the attack, Martyn Hett, 29, was a Coronation Street super-fan and had a tattoo of character Deirdre Barlow inked on to his leg.

Cast members previously spoke of their devastation after the attack at an Ariana Grande concert.

8:01PM

'Huge bang' as block of flats raided in Manchester

A "huge bang" was heard as police raided a block of flats in north Manchester, PA reports.

Witnesses said they saw special forces swoop on the address in Northland Road, Blackley, on Wednesday evening.

Resident Chris Barlow said there was a "huge bang" and "huge police presence".

"There was about 30 people on the street - they said there's been an explosion at the flats, a bomb or explosion," he said.

"There's CTU (counter terrorism unit) special forces - I spoke to one officer and they said they blew the door in and took a couple of people away."

Greater Manchester Police were unable to comment on whether the incident is linked to the investigation into the Manchester bombing on Monday, which left 22 dead and dozens injured.

7:48PM

Minute's silence takes place before Manchester United's Europa League final

Manchester United and Ajax players and fans clearly emotional as they remember the victims.

The fans break out into chants and applause, so it is swiftly announced that the minute's silence has become a minute's applause.

man utd
man utd

 

6:57PM

Ariana Grande cancels tour

As expected, the singer will not perform at the O2 in London:

 

6:49PM

Leaked pictures show Manchester attack bomb

Photos have emerged of the apparent bomb used in the Manchester attack, which may have been concealed in a hiking backpack.

The shredded remains of the light blue Karrimor bag apparently carried by Salman Abedi can be seen in a series of "law enforcement images" on the New York Times website.

Remnants of a backpack - Credit:  
Remnants of a backpack Credit:
The Karrimor backpack - Credit:  
The Karrimor backpack Credit:

A blood-smeared silver detonator with wires trailing from one end is also seen lying on the floor.

Possible detonator located in suspect’s left hand - Credit:  
Possible detonator located in suspect’s left hand Credit:

In one photo it is placed alongside a white forensic tape measure.

Possible detonator located in suspect’s left hand Manchester bomb - Credit:  
Possible detonator located in suspect’s left hand Manchester bomb Credit:

"The apparent detonator, which British law enforcement officials said was carried in the bomber's left hand, is also unusual for a manual detonator in a suicide device, in that it appears to have contained a small circuit board soldered inside one end," the American paper reported.

"It is not clear from the law enforcement images if the object was a simple plunger switch, or included a timer or a receiver that could be operated remotely via radio signal - or some combination."

Nuts and screws used as shrapnel - Credit:  
Nuts and screws used as shrapnel Credit:

Shrapnel, including nuts and screws, are also shown on a bloodied floor.

Nuts and screws used as shrapnel Manchester bomb - Credit:  
Nuts and screws used as shrapnel Manchester bomb Credit:

Another image shows the charred remains of a 12-volt battery.

Manchester Arena foyer bomb

 

6:46PM

Homeless man charged with disrupting Birmingham vigil

A man has been charged with possessing an offensive weapon after police made an arrest at a vigil for the victims of the Manchester Arena attack.

Julian Blake, 39, has also been charged with resisting or obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty and three offences of possessing a sharp or pointed article in public, West Midlands Police said.

Blake, of no fixed address, has been remanded into police custody and is due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

A candle-lit vigil in the city's Victoria Square was cut short on Tuesday after a man started shouting, as around 1,000 people paid their respects to the victims of Monday's atrocity.

Chief Constable Dave Thompson - who attended the vigil in an official capacity - later tweeted: "Grateful to officers using initiative tonight. Safe not sorry."

6:28PM

BREAKING NEWS: Brother 'was aware of all the details'

AP are reporting that the Libyan security forces say Hashim Abedi, the brother of alleged Manchester bomber  Salman Abedi, "was aware of all the details" of attack plans. 

It is said he was planning a terror attack there.

It is also reported he arrived in Libya from Britain on April 16.

The father, Ramadan, has also been arrested.

6:20PM

Moment man is arrested in Wigan

Here are the first pictures of the Wigan arrest:

The dramatic moment a man is wrestled to the ground by armed police in Wigan - Credit:  Wigan Today / SWNS.com
The dramatic moment a man is wrestled to the ground by armed police in Wigan Credit: Wigan Today / SWNS.com
The man, believed to be in his 20s, was tackled after an afternoon of terror in the town centre - Credit: Wigan Today / SWNS.com
The man, believed to be in his 20s, was tackled after an afternoon of terror in the town centre Credit: Wigan Today / SWNS.com

 

6:11PM

Religious leaders unite

Faith leaders held hands and paused for a moment of silence in a show of defiance following the Manchester arena attack.

The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, and Imam Irfan Chishti, of Manchester Central Mosque, were among the religious figures who joined crowds of Mancunians to express their unity.

The multi-faith vigil in memory of the victims of Monday's attack took place in St Ann's Square.

Piles of flowers left in tribute have been moved from Albert Square, where thousands of people gathered on Tuesday night, to the area in front of St Ann's Church.

The short service was led by Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, who asked the crowd to raise and hold their hands to "send a positive image" of the city.

"Let's show solidarity and send a message to the world," he said.

6:06PM

'They wrestled with a man on the floor'

Greater Manchester Police have issued this statement on the Wigan arrest:

Witnesses said an officer in a white forensic suit examined a red bag which the suspect was carrying.

There was a lot of officers coming in with a few cars from different directions

They wrestled with a man on the floor and he had a red bag.

Now there's a man in a white suit looking in the bag - he's taking something out of it.

They've sealed the whole area off, put tape around the perimeter.

My restaurant is in the middle of it and I can't open my front door.

There were a lot of armed officers with their faces covered - with balaclavas and machine guns.

They told us to get in, lock the windows and close the doors.

He said he has not seen the arrested man before, and added: "We've never had something like this happen here before - hopefully it's a one-off."

5:57PM

Wigan street on lockdown

Armed police swooped on a street in Wigan as they made the fifth arrest in the investigation into the Manchester bombing.

The town centre was in lockdown as officers carrying automatic weapons carried out the raid.

Witnesses say a man was tackled to the ground in Upper Dicconson Street after he was seen with a suspicious package.

Photos shared on social media appear to show him being led away by plain clothes officers with their faces covered wearing black police caps.

Wigan Council warned people to avoid the area because of an "ongoing police incident".

A nearby nursery, Little Acorns, was put into lockdown and warned parents not to come to collect their children.

"We are currently on lock down due to an incident in the area," a statement on its Facebook page said.

"We are safe. All children are upstairs. Please DO NOT come for your children at little Acorns you will not get in."

5:33PM

Another arrest

A suspect has been arrested in Wigan in connection with the Manchester suicide bomb attack, Greater Manchester Police said. 

He is believed to have been carrying a package, which is now being assessed.

5:32PM

Minute's silence to be held tomorrow

A minute's silence will be observed at 11am on Thursday in remembrance of all those who lost their lives in the Manchester concert bombing.

The silence will also mark the nation's solidarity with those who were injured in the blast as well as others affected by the atrocity.

Flags will remain at half-mast on government buildings until the evening of May 25, said a statement released jointly by 10 Downing Street, the Foreign Office and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

It is understood that the silence will be followed by the resumption of local campaigning by most political parties, with the General Election contest restarting in full on Friday.

Officials said there was no national event planned for the silence but that individuals and organisations across the country are expected to decide for themselves how to mark the moment.

Staff in all government buildings are expected to observe the silence.

5:27PM

Abedi's father detained

The father of Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi was detained by unknown security personnel in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Wednesday, it has been reported.

Ramadan Abedi - Credit:  
Ramadan Abedi Credit:

Three armed vehicles arrived to take away Ramadan Abedi and another unidentified man.

It follows reports that his other son Hashim was arrested in the city on suspicion of links to the Islamic State

Rejecting reports the bomber had recently returned to Britain from Libya, Mr Abedi said his son Salman had visited Libya more than a month ago.

Speaking from Tripoli, Mr Abedi told the Associated Press: "We don't believe in killing innocents. This is not us."

Mr Abedi confirmed his son Ismail, who was born in Westminster in 1993, was arrested on Tuesday.

5:25PM

Pope condemns 'barbaric attack'

At an interfaith vigil in Manchester on Wednesday night the Rt Rev John Arnold, the Bishop of Salford, read out a message from the Pope condemning the "barbaric attack" in the city.

The Pope commended "the generous efforts of the emergency and security personnel and wished "peace, healing and strength upon the nation".

5:24PM

Headmaster pays tribute to eight-year-old

 

5:12PM

Homeless hero given 'life-changing' offer

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has promised to give a homeless man who aided victims of the Manchester terror attack a "life-changing" offer to help him "get back on his feet".

Homeless hero Steve - Credit: ITV NEWS
Homeless hero Steve Credit: ITV NEWS

Rough sleeper Steve rushed to help young victims following the terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena, which left 22 people dead.

Mr Sullivan told BBC Radio 5 Live he wants to help the 'hero' by paying for his accommodation for six months and some money to help him turn his life around. 

“It looks like he needs some help, so we are desperate to find who he is and give him six months free accommodation and a little bit of money to help him on his way,” he said. 

West Ham co-owners David Sullivan (L) and David Gold - Credit: Getty 
West Ham co-owners David Sullivan (L) and David Gold (R) Credit: Getty

4:58PM

Community did warn about Abedi's extreme views, worker says

More details are emerging about Salman Abedi.

A Muslim community worker has said that members of the public called the police anti-terrorism hotline warning about the Manchester suicide bomber’s extreme and violent views several years ago. 

It is also understood that Abedi was in Manchester earlier this year when he told people of the value of dying for a cause and made hardline statements about suicide operations and the conflict in Libya. 

The community worker – who did not want to be identified – said two people who knew Salman Abedi at college made separate calls to the police. 

They had been worried that “he was supporting terrorism” and had expressed the view that “being a suicide bomber was OK.”

The friends had argued with him, telling him he was wrong but had become so concerned they contacted the police.

The community worker said, “all of the publicity is about Muslims not coming forward and this shows that they are coming forward and expressing their concerns.”

The calls are thought to have been made around five years ago after Abedi left school, where he was known to have smoked marijuana and mixed with gangs in south Manchester. 

4:53PM

BREAKING NEWS: Abedi's brother arrested in Tripoli

Reuters is reporting that Hashim Abedi, Salman's younger brother, has been arrested in Tripoli by counter-terrorism police on suspicion of having Islamic State links.

4:46PM

Fallon: 'It is an extremely urgent investigation'

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has been speaking about the investigation on BBC News

He said:

We need to establish as quickly as we can whether he was part of a wider network and whether anybody else in that network had access to the explosives that he used on that terrible night.

That is an ongoing investigation, it is an extremely urgent investigation, and it is a very fast-moving one - there have been developments today.

Sir Michael refused to comment on where the investigation was going on in light of reports that the bomber had links to Syria, but said it was "very important to establish whether he was part of a wider network and whether other attacks on the British mainland are likely".

4:34PM

Family of Michelle Kiss make statement

Mother-of-three Michelle Kiss was taken away in the "most traumatic way imaginable", her family said as they vowed to "draw from the courage and strength she showed in her life".

Michelle Kiss - Credit:  
Michelle Kiss Credit:

Ms Kiss, from Lancashire, was among the 22 people killed on Monday when a suicide bomber detonated a homemade device that tore through the foyer of Manchester Arena as people left following a pop concert.

In a statement issued through Greater Manchester Police, her family said: "Michelle Kiss was a loving wife to Tony, mother to Dylan, Elliot and Millie, as well as daughter to Mick and Christine and sister to Nichola.

"She tragically died during the horrible event that occurred on Monday night.

"Family was her life and we are all obviously devastated by her loss.

"She has been taken away from us, and all that love her, in the most traumatic way imaginable.

"We hope to draw from the courage and strength she showed in her life to get through this extremely difficult time."

4:16PM

Schoolgirl, 14, is among the dead

A 14-year-old schoolgirl has been confirmed as among the dead, writes Helena Horton.

Sorrell Leczkowski, from Leeds, was at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester with her mother and grandmother, both of whom are recovering in hospital.

Sorrell Leczkowski, from Leeds, was at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester - Credit:  
Sorrell Leczkowski, from Leeds, was at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Credit:

Her aunt and other family members have confirmed she is dead.

Sorrell's grandmother is critically ill, and has been unconscious since the blast.

Sorrell's grandparents - Credit: Just Giving
Sorrell's grandparents Credit: Just Giving

According to her family, her grandmother had a 15-hour operation to remove shrapnel from her body.

Greg Mulholland, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Leeds North West, paid tribute to the youngster on Facebook, saying: "My condolences thoughts & prayers are with the family of 14 year old Sorrell Leczkowski from Adel, Leeds, a victim of the Manchester attack. Heartbreaking news."

Mr Mulholland attended vigils in Leeds on Tuesday night for those killed and injured in the atrocity, and said the girl's mother and grandmother had also been injured.

He said: "People gathered to show sympathy and solidarity with all the victims of the Manchester attack and also especially to show the support of the local community to the families who have been caught up in this terrible atrocity.

"It is heartbreaking that amongst the victims is a 14-year-old girl from Adel. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family."

For the full story, click here.

3:54PM

'Once again the service has been rocked'

Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, the body that represents rank and officers, Steve White responded to the confirmation an off-duty policewoman was killed in Monday's terrorist attack.

The unnamed officer, whose husband and two children were also reportedly injured in the blast, is the second to be killed by terrorism in less than three months, coming after Pc Keith Palmer was stabbed during the March Westminster attack.

He said:

Once again the service has been rocked by the devastating news that a member of the police family has lost their life because of the murderous actions of a terrorist.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of everybody affected at this difficult time.

Meanwhile, in a statement read outside the mosque, trustee of the Manchester Islamic Centre Fawzi Haffar denied reports Abedi had worked there.

He did not answer questions about whether Abedi had prayed there or whether his father had worked there.

He described the bombing as an "act of cowardice".

He said: "I encourage anyone who may have information about the individual involved to contact the police without any delay."

Mr Haffar said the centre had received reports of "anti-Muslim acts" including verbal abuse and criminal damage to mosques since the bombing and encouraged people to report the incidents as hate crimes.

 

3:41PM

Calls of condolence to Theresa May from world leaders

The Prime Minister has taken several further condolence calls from other world leaders today following Monday’s terrorist attack in Manchester, including Chancellor Merkel, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi:

Chancellor Merkel

Chancellor Merkel called to offer Germany’s condolences and said Germany stands with the UK against terrorism. They agreed the deliberate targeting of children was despicable and that the people of Manchester had shown great spirit in coming together in the wake of the attack.

King Salman

King Salman of Saudi Arabia called to offer his condolences and said Saudi Arabia strongly denounces and condemns this brutal terrorist attack which defies all international humanitarian norms. They agreed the UK and Saudi Arabia would continue working closely together to counter terrorism and violent extremism. 

Stefan Lofven

The Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven called to express Sweden’s condolences, praising the public response and their determination to carry on as normal.

Narendra Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his country’s deepest condolences and said India’s prayers were with all of those affected. Prime Minister Modi congratulated the people of Manchester on their courage, patience and spirit. They agreed the UK and India would continue to cooperate closely on counter-terrorism, including aviation security and countering online radicalisation.

3:36PM

Labour confirms election campaigning will resume on Friday

3:31PM

Bomber was 'identified by bank card in his pocket'

The update from police comes as US media reports that the bomber was identified by a bank card in his pocket.

According to NBC News, citing a US intelligence official, members of the bomber's family warned security officials about him in the past, saying that he was “dangerous”.

The official told the broadcaster that Abedi likely "had help" making “big and sophisticated bomb".

3:07PM

Bomber's father: 'We don't believe in killing innocents. This is not us'

Salman Abedi's father has spoken for the first time since his son's death and said: "We don't believe in killing innocents. This is not us."

Speaking from Tripoli, he told AP that his son is innocent and confirmed that British police have arrested another of his sons. This is believed to be a 23-year-old arrested in south Manchester yesterday.

Salman Abedi - Credit: Sky News
Salman Abedi, the Manchester bomber Credit: Sky News

2:37PM

More than £1.5 million raised in a day to help victims

Several crowdfunding campaigns have been set up to raise funds for the families and loved ones of the victims of the terrorist attack at Manchester Arena on Monday evening - and more than £1.5 million has been donated by the public in less than a day. Click here for more details.