‘Terrorists will never win’, says May after ‘cowardly’ act

DEFIANT Theresa May condemned the Manchester bomb attack yesterday, calling it an act of “appalling, sickening cowardice”.

The Prime Minister said the “callous” attack had “targeted some of the youngest people in our society with cold calculation”.

But she insisted the response of the emergency services and the public had shown the spirit of Britain “will never be broken”.

Mrs May, who left a message of condolence during a visit to Manchester Town Hall, chaired a meeting of the Cabinet’s emergency committee Cobra yesterday before heading to the city to meet service chiefs involved in the response to the suicide bombing.

All campaigning for the General Election was suspended.

Speaking in Downing Street, Mrs May said: “The terrorists will never win and our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families and friends of all those affected.

“It is now beyond doubt that the people of Manchester and of this country have fallen victim to a callous terrorist attack, an attack that targeted some of the youngest people in our society with cold calculation.

“This was among the worst terrorist incidents we have ever experienced in the United Kingdom.

“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,” the Prime Minister added. Mrs May insisted the police would get all the resources necessary to investigate the staging of the attack.

She added the terrorist threat would remain at its current level of “severe”.

The Prime Minister also praised the response of the emergency services and members of the public as “the best of humanity”.

She said: “The images we hold in our minds should not be those of senseless slaughter but of the ordinary men and women who put their own safety to one side and rushed to help. They are the images that embody the spirit of Britain – a spirit that has never been broken and will never be broken.”

The Prime Minister yesterday met Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester Council, during her trip to the city.

She also visited Manchester Children’s Hospital, where many of those who were injured are being treated.

She returned to Downing Street last night to chair a further Cobra meeting.