Donald Trump’s tweet on London attack ‘extremely unhelpful,’ U.K. officials say

WASHINGTON— U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday suggested British intelligence officials were aware of the assailant or assailants behind an unfolding terrorist attack on the London subway, an assertion that British officials called unhelpful speculation.

Prime Minister Theresa May alluded to Trump’s Twitter post in an interview with reporters, saying “I never think it’s helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation.”

Trump had written: “Another attack in London by a loser terrorist. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!”

Later Friday, Trump said he had been briefed on the London terrorist attack and he later spoke with May by phone.

The small explosion on a crowded Underground train during morning rush hour in the capital on Friday wounded at least 29 people and authorities said they were treating the incident as terrorism. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack or whether the assailant or assailants had been on the radar of British intelligence. Police in London also alluded to the president’s tweet. “This is a live investigation and we will provide further updates as it progresses,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. “Any speculation is extremely unhelpful at this time.”