Trump Wants to “Get to the Bottom” of Manchester Leaks

This past Thursday, President Donald Trump denounced U.S. leaks regarding Britain’s investigation of the terrorist bombings in Manchester as “deeply troubling”, before asking the Justice Department and other agencies to hold a full investigation of the recent incident.

The leaks have included the publication of crime-scene photos in the New York Times, as well as U.S. broadcasters naming the suspected bomber. The British police have taken unusual precautions to withhold information from United States agencies. However, as of Thursday evening, the British police has claimed they have resumed intelligence sharing post “fresh assurances”.

Following these disclosures, the British authorities have yet to comment on whether or not the leaks have actually impaired the investigation in any way.

This has been the worst terrorist attack the country has faced in over a decade. After the bomb exploded, at the conclusion of the concert Monday evening, 22 people were killed and another 116 were injured.

Commentators have urged that it is possible that publishing the name of the suspect involved could have compromised the investigation. Potentially, by withholding the suspects name longer, the authorities may have been able to track down people who have since taken evasive action.

The United States and Britain have always had a different relationship between secret intelligence services and the media. In the United States, intelligence agencies have always been more closed off, hence when leaks such as this one occur, it is a particularly large ordeal.

Theresa May, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said that she would make it apparent to Trump during the NATO summit that there must be a secure sharing of intelligence between the enforcement agencies of the two nations. Recently, while waiting for a picture to be taken, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson claims that May told Trump that information sharing is “hugely important” and must be safeguarded.

Some media commentators have also suggested that the issue be viewed in the context of Britain’s upcoming election, as Britain is set to go to the polls on June 8th. It is possible that this has caused some politicians to voice their frustration for the leaks behind closed doors.

During a recent meeting of the leaders of NATO member nations in Brussels, President Trump vowed that he would get to the bottom of the issue. He has said, “The leaks of sensitive information pose a grave threat to our national security. 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”.

Trump declined to respond to reporters questions earlier this week in Brussels regarding the leak controversy and intelligence sharing.

Ian Hopkins, Greater Manchester Chief Constable, stated Thursday that leaks published by the New York Times have lead to “much distress for families that are already suffering terribly with their loss.” Several police chiefs across the country have also criticized the leaks; The National Police Chiefs Council released a statement urging that “Unauthorized disclosure of potential evidence” during a counterterrorism investigation “undermines” their efforts.

Amber Rudd, British Home Secretary, called the leaks- which included detailed forensic photographs from the crime scene- “irritating” and said that an incident like this should not occur again.

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