Politicians unite to condemn Manchester suicide bombing

Politicians have offered condolences in the wake of the Manchester attack and united in condemning the "cowardice" of the suicide bomber.

Speaking outside Downing Street after chairing a meeting of the Government's emergency COBRA committee, Theresa May said the location of the attack - a crowded pop concert - was chosen to cause "maximum carnage".

A total of 22 people were killed in the blast at the end of an Ariana Grande concert, including an eight-year-old girl. Islamic State has claimed one of its members carried out the atrocity.

The Prime Minister hit out at the "cowardice" of the attacker and hailed those who rushed to help, saying they had shown "the spirit of Britain ... a spirit that through years of conflict and terrorism has never been broken and will never be broken".

She said: "We now know that a single terrorist detonated his improvised explosive device near one of the exits of the venue, deliberately choosing the time and place to cause maximum carnage and to kill and injure indiscriminately."

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Noting that the audience included many young children and families, the PM said: "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."

And she vowed: "The terrorists will never win and our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail."

Mrs May and Home Secretary Amber Rudd have travelled to Manchester to speak to police chiefs, and the PM will chair another COBRA meeting later.

All parties have suspended General Election campaigning in the wake of the atrocity.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, when asked for his message to the families affected, said: "I'm terribly sorry and terribly sad for you.

"There can be nothing worse than losing a child in a situation like this.

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"We have to put our arms around them and support them, not just today but in all the very difficult days to come because a trauma like this doesn't go in a day or two - it's there with them for the rest of their lives.

"We have to give them all the support we possibly can, and also make sure we live in a safe environment in the future and we live in safety together, but we do not allow communities to be divided by this kind of appalling, atrocious act of violence."

Greater Manchester Metro mayor Andy Burnham described the attack as "evil", saying: "It is hard to believe what has happened here in the last few hours, and to put into words the shock, anger, and hurt that we feel today.

"We are grieving today, but we are strong. Today it will be business as usual, as far as possible in our great city."

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said the attack was "utterly heartbreaking".

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He said: "It's been made all the more clear to me this morning as I spoke to my kids, all of whom each had a friend or more at the gig last night in Manchester.

"We know that every terrorist attack on our country is an attack on every single one of us, but this is of a different order.

"This was a terrorist attack deliberately targeted at children having the time of their lives."

UKIP leader Paul Nuttall said: "My prayers and thoughts are with those affected. Stay strong."

Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley said: "For young people to be targeted in this way is utterly atrocious.

"As ever our emergency services have done us proud - and we pay tribute to the police, firefighters and paramedics who stepped up in this time of need.

"Our country will never be divided by terror."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed police are in contact with the families of two Scottish teenagers who are missing after the concert.

Ms Sturgeon described the incident as a "dreadful atrocity".

"There can be nothing more cowardly than to attack children and young people enjoying a night-out," she said.