U.K. home minister warned the United States on Wednesday for leaking information regarding the terror attack in Manchester, England, and made it clear “it shouldn’t happen again.”
“The British police have been very clear they want to control the flow of information in order to protect operational integrity – the element of surprise – so it is irritating if it gets released from other sources,” Home Secretary Amber Rudd said. “[A]nd I’ve been very clear with our friends that that should not happen again.”
Rudd told BBC Radio 4’s “Today” show she wouldn’t go as far to say the U.S. compromised the investigation, “but I can say that they are perfectly clear about the situation and it shouldn’t happen again.”
U.S. law enforcement sources leaked details about the attack that took place at an Ariana Grande concert before the British police or officials released it. U.S. officials said British authorities identified the suspect in the suicide bombing as Salman Abedi.
Rudd said the 22-year-old Manchester-born suspect, who was “likely” not acting alone, was already on the radar of U.K. security services.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility in a statement on Tuesday. “A soldier of the Khilafah managed to place explosive devices in the midst of the gatherings of the Crusaders in the British city of Manchester.”
The Monday night bomb blast killed 22 people and injured hundreds of concertgoers.
British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the terror attack on Tuesday. “Today, let us remember those who died, and let us celebrate those who helped, safe in the knowledge that the terrorist will never win, and our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail,” she said.
