Trump vows to find spies who leaked details of bomb
THERESA May last night won a pledge from Donald Trump to investigate the leaking of British counter-terrorism intelligence by US spies – and prosecute those responsible.
The Prime Minister confronted the US President over the release of sensitive information and photographs in the hunt for the terrorists behind the bombing when they met at a Nato summit in Brussels.
He vowed to “get to the bottom” of the scandal.
The two leaders discussed the sharing of intelligence between the British and US security services a day after shocking photos of forensic evidence from the Manchester attack were published in the US media.
Mrs May was understood to be furious about the leaks, which police chiefs say could compromise their hunt for suspects linked to the outrage.
A senior Government source said Mrs May raised the issue with President Trump as leaders gathered for a formal photo at the start of the one-day summit.
She emphasised that “the intelligence-sharing relationship that we have with the US is hugely important and valuable but the information that we share must be kept secret”.
Before their meeting, President Trump issued a statement describing the leaks as “deeply troubling”.
He said: “These leaks have been going on for a long time and my administration will get to the bottom of this.
“I am asking the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies to launch a complete review of this matter and, if appropriate, the culprit should be prosecuted,” the White House statement continued.
On her arrival at the summit at Nato’s new £1billion headquarters, the Prime Minister said the “special relationship” with the US was “built on trust”.
She added: “Part of that trust is knowing that intelligence can be shared confidently.”
President Trump also spoke movingly about the Manchester attack in a speech to national leaders attending the summit yesterday, condemning the atrocity as “a barbaric and vicious attack upon our civilisation”.
And he urged the military alliance to do more to tackle terrorism and uncontrolled migration.
“Prime Minister May, all of the nations grieve with you and stand with you,” the US President said.
Asking the leaders to observe a moment’s silence for the victims and their families, he spoke of “beautiful lives with so much great potential torn from their families for ever and ever”.
He made his comments shortly after a ceremony to mark a new memorial at the Nato HQ to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US in 2001.
‘The information we share must be kept secret’