Leaks undermine the fight against terrorism
May must put pressure on Trump to stem the tide or risk undermining the Manchester investigation
Within hours of the senseless attack on young people at a pop concert, the slogan “Manchester United” was adopted by the city in solidarity with the victims and in defiance of their attackers.
Yet the same unity of purpose has not been shown by law enforcement, with repeated leaks from US intelligence officials undermining Greater Manchester Police’s ongoing investigation.
Yesterday it emerged the force had vowed to stop sharing information with counterparts in the US following the publication of photographs by the New York Times newspaper apparently showing parts of the device used by bomber Salman Abedi.
Officers in Manchester have every right to be angry with the leak – especially as it came after Home Secretary Amber Rudd had already expressed her annoyance at the release of Abedi’s name to US media before it was released by UK police.
It is clear to see how the publication of that particular detail would have made life more difficult for officers on the ground – most notably by alerting possible associates who could have been planning further attacks.
It’s no great revelation that spies trade in information and that details get leaked. But when a close ally has specifically requested that parts of an ongoing investigation are not put into the public domain, it is hard to see what can be gained from doing so.
Not only does it undermine links between the UK and US – the fabled “special relationship” – but it plays right into the hands of the terrorists.
US president Donald Trump has described the leaks as “deeply troubling” and a “grave threat” to national security.
His pledge to investigate the problem is welcome, but unlikely to get very far, given the difficult relationship he has with his own intelligence officials.
Nevertheless, Prime Minister Theresa May must press Mr Trump on the issue when the two leaders meet at the Nato summit in Brussels. The Prime Minister cannot allow other discussions with the Americans – no matter how important – to take precedence over the safety of her own citizens.
In a world beginning to look more dangerous by the day, Britain needs its friends more now than at any point in recent years.
If we cannot rely on our most trusted ally, then things are looking very bleak indeed.