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Rex Tillerson to meet Boris Johnson amid diplomatic row over intelligence leaks

US Secretary of State is set to travel to Manchester and then meet with UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
US Secretary of State is set to travel to Manchester and then meet with UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is set to make his first visit to London and meet UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson amid an investigation into US intelligence leaks about the recent terrorist attack in Manchester.

He will be signing a condolence book for the victims of the attack and will be looking to “reaffirm America’s Special Relationship between" the US and UK and "our solidarity in defeating terrorism”.

UK police and intelligence officials have expressed concerns that US intelligence officials have been leaking details to American media outlets that could compromise the police investigation.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd called the leaks “irritating” but said that US officials had said it would not happen again.

However, pictures from the scene were published by US media and they cited US intelligence officials as the source.

Prime Minister Theresa May also confirmed she would be taking up the issue with Donald Trump while the two are in Brussels for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) meeting.

“I will make clear to President Trump that intelligence that is shared between our law enforcement agencies must remain secure.”

It is likely that Mr Tillerson and Mr Johnson will discuss the issue as well.

Mr Trump has asked the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into the leaks, but would not confirm that they did indeed come from US officials.

He also pledged that “if appropriate, the culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The usually tacit Mr Tillerson is also scheduled to brief the press after his meeting with Mr Johnson in London. He will then travel to Italy for the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) meeting in Sicily.