Donald Trump vows to prosecute culprit behind Manchester leaks
US President Donald Trump (C) delivers a speech next to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg CREDIT: AFP/GETTY IMAGES


25 MAY 2017 • 4:09PM

Donald Trump has promised to prosecute those who leaked intelligence about the Manchester bomber to the US media, after Theresa May warned the leaks could undermine the “special relationship”.

The US president aid the US leaks are "deeply troubling" and has vowed "to get to the bottom of this".

The Prime Minister, in common with the police and British intelligence agencies, is furious that sensitive material about the investigation has repeatedly been handed to the US media, which ministers say risks compromising the fast-moving inquiry.


Theresa May arrives for the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit CREDIT: AFP/EMMANUEL DUNAND

Mr Trump, attending his first Nato summit, responded by saying those responsible for the leaks should be prosecuted.

He said: "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 to the fullest extent of the law. "

After arriving in Brussels for a Nato summit which is also being attended by President Trump, Mrs May said: “On the issue of the intelligence-sharing with the USA, we have a special relationship with the USA, it is our deepest defence and security partnership that we have.


People attend a one minute silence to the victims of Monday's explosion at St Ann's Square in Manchester CREDIT:RUI VIEIRA/AP
“Of course, that partnership is built on trust. And part of that trust is knowing that intelligence can be shared confidently and I will be making clear to President Trump today that intelligence that is shared between law enforcement agencies must be shared securely.”

Greater Manchester Police has suspended its intelligence-sharing with the US after Whitehall sources described the leaks as “unacceptable”.

Mr Trump said: “The leaks of sensitive information pose a grave threat to our national security.” He added that, if appropriate, “the culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”.


US President Donald Trump CREDIT: AP PHOTO/MATT DUNHAM

During the unveiling of a memorial to the 9/11 victims, Mr Trump told Mrs May: “All of the nations here today grieve with you and stand with you.”

He said it was time for communities to start “exposing, finding and removing these killers…we must drive them out and never, ever let them back in”.

Meanwhile Mrs May will tell Nato that the Manchester attack underlines the need for the alliance to do more in the fight against terrorism.


British Prime Minister Theresa May disembarks a plane as she arrives to attend a NATO summit CREDIT: JUSTIN TALLIS/WPA

She has already backed a call by Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg for the alliance to join the US-led coalition against Isil, and urged Nato countries to “take responsibility” and increase their defence spending.

She said: "That attack, I think, shows why it is important for the international community including Nato to do more in our fight against terrorism and that is what I am going to be pushing for today.

"I am also going to be pushing the UK's agenda on burden-sharing and we are proud, as the UK, that we meet the target of spending 2% of our GDP on defence and 20% of our defence budget on equipment.

"And other nations must be prepared to take responsibility and that includes more investment in defence.”

Earlier, Mr Stoltenberg expressed confidence that the allies would agree to join the counter-IS coalition.

The move is seen as largely symbolic as he made clear they would not be taking part in combat.

"It's totally out of the question for Nato to engage in any combat operations," he said.


A sign that reads "We Love MCR" is displayed in solidarity above a street in central Manchester CREDIT: BEN STANSALL

Nato already provides surveillance planes to support anti-IS operations as well as training officers in Iraq.

A UK Government source said the alliance signing up to the coalition would send a "strong political message" of its commitment to the counter-IS cause.

The source said that would also enable the alliance to build up the capabilities of partner states in the region such as Jordan, where Britain is volunteering to run a pilot project co-ordinating counter-terrorist action.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017...chester-leaks/