Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News At Ten 20170526

Hes criticised for saying so soon after the Manchester Attack. Economists question the financial honesty of both the labour and conservative manifestos. And has a defined manchester gets back on its feet this evening with an athletics display, we look forward to a weekend of sport and music. And coming up in sportsday on bbc news, Manchester City spent a reported £15 million on the 22 year old monaco midfielder bernardo silva. Good evening. Britains top Counter Terrorism officer says they have captured a large part of the network involved in the Manchester Arena attack, where 22 people died. Mark rowley said immense progress had been made in the investigation but there were still important lines to pursue and arrests to be made. He also disclosed that police have reviewed Security Arrangements at more than 1,000 events around the country this bank holiday weekend. He said people should go out as planned and be reassured by the Greater Police presence. Our Home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford reports. An already vast investigation, still expanding. Each day, Counter Terrorism detectives raid more properties in manchester, cutting through the shutters at this moss side barbershop. The shop owner, abs forjani, is a cousin of the Manchester Bomber who was arrested earlier in the week, with two of his brothers. Police also raided another house in the middle of the night, bringing the number of people in custody to nine, all men, mostly libyan, and aged between 18 and 38. Theyre very significant, these arrests. We are very happy we have our hands around some of the key players we are concerned about. There is still a little bit more to do. The bomber, salman abedi, came back to manchester from libya last week. Renting a flat in this block, he had already bought many of the ingredients for his lethal device. It was here that salman abedi spent his last weekend, putting his bomb together, making the final preparations to attack a concert full of teenage girls. About three months earlier, before he went to libya for the last time, abedi rented a flat in this block, being pored over by forensics officers this week as a possible bomb factory. The flat is owned by aiman elwafi. This evening, his friend told the bbc what aiman found after abedi had left. A piece of metal in the bathroom and electricity switched off, fire alarm is switched off. He can smell a strong, strong, strong smell coming out from the carpet. Aiman told me, i think its like diesel, like petrol, something chemical. Detectives say theyve made very significant finds and, crucially, believe they have captured a large part of his terrorist network. We have seized thousands of exhibits which are now being assessed. I think its fair to say there has been enormous progress with the investigation but still an awful lot of work to do. Police have found bomb making material, but because of concerns about what might still be out there, the threat level will remain at critical. The public can expect much higher security at the 1,300 events in the uk this bank holiday weekend. We mustnt let this terrible Terrorist Incident Impact on our lives. Lets carry on this weekend, this bank holiday weekend, with our families and friends. A weekend in which armed officers will be patrolling on trains. Detectives investigating mondays shocking attack are growing in confidence, but for now, going into one of the most important weekends of the summer, everyone remains nervous. More details have been emerging about the bomber salman abedi. The bbc has spoken to a former friend who said abedis behaviour had changed in the last six months. Abedi attended didsbury mosque, where his attitude raised concerns. Tonight the chairman insisted the police were tipped off, but also admitted that mistakes may have been made. Our Special Correspondent ed thomas reports. The manchester home, the family and the need to know why. Ramadan abedi, a father who allowed his children to fight on the front line in libya. His son, hashim, suspected of supporting so called islamic state. And then salman abedi, the Suicide Bomber who murdered in his own city. I met imet him i met him at the mosque. Hejust prayed, and that was it. He stayed after for a prayed, and that was it. He stayed afterfor a bit, prayed, and that was it. He stayed after for a bit, an prayed, and that was it. He stayed afterfor a bit, an extra prayed, and that was it. He stayed after for a bit, an extra five or ten minutes. This is his friend. They played football together, supporting manchester united. Now hes too scared to show his face and says over the past six months salman abedi changed. You could tell there was something up with him, something was something up with him, something was bugging him. It came to a point when he didnt listen to music any more, didnt think about girls, if there was a nice track on, i said, lets put this track on, he says, we should listen to music, its the devil. Even if you would do bad things, sell weed, alcohol, as long as you are praying, keep it up, you can still get forgiven. He knows himself, doing what he did, he will go to hell. I dont know why he did it. The bbc has been told that Salman Abedi Fought In Libya against the Gaddafi Regime when he was just 16. He wasnt a alone. Alongside him, his brother, hash, young men, guided by theirfather, ramadan. Him, his brother, hash, young men, guided by their father, ramadan. He was a good fighter, he was fighting to die. This man met all of them in 2011 and 14 to die. This man met all of them in 2011 and 1a the front line with ramadan abedi, so called foreign fighters in the manchester brigade. 70 of them were from the north of england. People that went to fight . Did the Security Sources ever try to stop you from going . From leaving the country . No. Even though they could see what we were taking, ambulances, satellite phones, some people even brought laser guided sites. The bbc has also learned of allegations that the Manchester Bombers father met the radical cleric abu qatada in london. 0n facebook, he is alleged to have praised fighters allied with alqaeda in syria. He denies supporting islamic extremism. A lot of libyans, arabs and muslims, they dont believe you can be muslim and a british citizen. He knew ramadan abedi. He said that fighting in libya changed him. He believes in jihad values. If you see what he is thinking about libya, what he has written about libya, he believes in jihad. Says the Manchester Attack, the bbc has asked for an interview with trustees of the mosque where the abedi family prayed. Today, we we re the abedi family prayed. Today, we were united in. Did anybody report this young man . Indeed, one of the imams reported this person. We were not aware, it was a private matter. He didnt tell anybody inside the mosque . That has to be a worry. He didnt tell anybody inside the mosque . That has to be a worrym has to be a worry because as trustees we should, i suppose, know what is going on. You suppose . The reason i say i suppose, if he reported him because he had information which we do not, it is between him and the counterterrorism police. I have not really spoken to him since. Not the imam who noticed him since. Not the imam who noticed him first to find out more information . I dont have information, i dont need information, i dont need information, i dont need information, i am information, i dont need information, iam not information, i dont need information, i am not responsible. When he passes the responsibility onto the counterterrorism police, who, as we all know, have been carrying out surveillance on the suspect. It is not my responsibility any more. The responsibility has been shifted to the police and to the Security Services. Counterterrorism investigators will not comment if any warnings were sent, If Salman Abedi could have been stopped from taking 22 lives. Ed thomas, bbc news, manchester. Lets go back to our Home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford. A picture is building up about the bomber himself. In terms of the wider investigation, why do you think police are so confident theyve got most of his network . Well, we have watched in manchester this week as, bit by bit, detectives have pieced this case together. We saw them first of all arrest the bombers brother, then his cousins, and then a Wider Network of associates. Ultimately, some of them might be set free without charge. We have also watched search teams bursting into property after property and, slowly, we have seen detectives growing in confidence. They have found most of what they are looking for. So, why is the threat level still at critical . I think the simple answer is that nobody wants to take a risk, nobody wa nts to nobody wants to take a risk, nobody wants tojump nobody wants to take a risk, nobody wants to jump too soon and take risks with a bank holiday packed with so many high profile events like the fa cup final. Many thanks. Jeremy corbyn has placed tackling terror at the centre of an Election Campaign speech, his first since mondays bomb attack. He declared that the War On Terror is not working and pledged to change British Foreign policy if labour were to win the election, to reduce the threat to the country. Political opponents have criticised the timing of his speech, as well as his message. 0ur Political Correspondent vicki youngs report contains Flash Photography from the start. Jeremy corbyn knows that this is a sensitive time. After a terrorist atrocity, The Labour Leader restarted his Election Campaign today, Joining A Silent Tribute to manchesters victims. But The Labour Leader didnt backtrack from long held views on foreign policy, making his case that its time to do things differently. Many experts, including professionals in our intelligence and Security Services, have pointed out the connections between wars that we have been involved in, or supported and fought in, in other countries, such as libya, and terrorism here at home. That assessment in no way reduces the guilt of those who attack our children. Stressing his patriotism, mr corbyn repeatedly emphasised that nothing excused mondays massacre. And he had a direct message for britains soldiers. I want to assure you that under my leadership, you will only be deployed abroad when there is a clear need, and only when there is a plan that you have the resources to do yourjob and secure an outcome that delivers lasting peace. Mr corbyn promised that a Labour Government would give the Security Services the money they required, and cuts to Police Budgets would be reversed. The issue of security could dominate the rest of this Election Campaign and todayJeremy Corbyn has repeated views he has held for decades that Military Action abroad has made the uk less safe. To others, that sounds like an excuse for terrorism. Senior conservatives were quick to hit out at The Labour Leader, calling his speech monstrous. This has been caused not by us, asJeremy Corbyn would have us believe. Its been caused by a sick ideology, a perverted version of islam, that hates us and hates our way of life. To say anything now to legitimate orjustify those who have carried out the atrocity in manchester is, in my view, absolutely obscene. The arguments have returned and so have election photo opportunities. The snp leader condemned the Manchester Attack but said politicians shouldnt shy away from debate. Bombing campaigns, whether in syria or libya, Without A Coherent Strategy to tackle the underlying problems there, often hinder rather than help those situations. These are the things we need to debate, and debate vigorously. This evening, mr corbyn faced more questions, this time on nuclear weapons. There were also questions about links with the ira. Why would the british people want us their leader in and that for years supported the ira . I did not support the ira, i dont support the ira. What i want everywhere is a peace process, decency and human rights. Did you tell them to stop the bombing . didnt meet the ira, i obviously did meet people from sinn fein. How the country protect its citizens is now likely to be on the agenda for the rest of the campaign. At the g7 summit in sicily, theresa may accused Jeremy Corbyn of Making Excuses for terrorism. Earlier, she told World Leaders that more needs to be done to tackle foreign fighters returning from conflicts in the middle east, and called for pressure on Technology Companies to remove extremist material from the internet. From sicily, our deputy Political Editorjohn pienaar reports. Stagey affairs, these summits. Beautiful settings, big stars. Some loving the spotlight britains leader, keen to use it. Hard to move, let alone grab attention here. You could just see mrs may behind donald trump. But after the Manchester Attack, she was keen to lead the line against terrorism. Mrs may urged leaders to do more against online extremism, to get Web Companies to identify and block harmful content, to alert authorities. She wanted action against terrorists stepped up. Today, G7 Leaders Havejoined Britain in condemning this barbaric act of violence. Prime minister, what do you say to those that argue that british lets be very clear on Peace Funding that we have protected Counter Terrorism police funding. Weve increased the funding for our security and intelligence agencies and we continue to provide them with the support they need. Ive been here fighting terrorism. At the same time, Jeremy Corbyn has said Terror Attacks in britain are our own Fault Andi Attacks in britain are our own fault and i want to make one thing very clear. There can never, ever be an excuse for terrorism. No one imagines there are easy answers to terrorism, here at this summit or anywhere else. As Party Campaigning resumes, the differences are profound. Mrs may wont want to be accused of exploiting this summit for political gain. She will want british voters to judge shes the one best qualified to lead the party and the country. At the summit working session, agreement to cooperate against extremists was easy to find. Even leaders who dont always get on managed it here. Mrs may suggested more help for countries in conflict zones detaining foreign fighters. The summit statement, pledging countries to do more and to do more together, was duly signed and sealed. Thank you to everybody sitting round a table for the support that you have shown to the United Kingdom in the face of this absolutely horrific attack that took place. Sticking together on an issue like terrorism is a must for leaders at a big summit, and its notjust for show. But dealing with a problem like this takes complex solutions, time and patience to tackle a threat that will continue long, long after big set occasions like this one have come and gone. John pienaar, bbc news, the g7 in sicily. Well, weve heard differing claims about Police Numbers and their ability to keep us safe. And this weeks bombing has again raised questions about government strategy, and whether it has the right powers to deal with those who pose a potential risk. Our home editor mark easton reports. The Murder Of Lee Rigby in woolwich, 2013, prompted David Cameron to reshape his counterterrorism strategy. Will be absolutely resolute in its stand against violent extremism. The focus was on home grown extremism, with Public Sector workers becoming legally obliged to inform police if they thought someone was displaying extremist behaviour. The government set up an Extremism Task force and proposed a counter extremism bill, with tough powers against anyone deemed to be an extremist. But the legislation now looks unlikely ever to happen because ministers struggled to define extremism, and concerns the approach fosters suspicion and distrust in largely law abiding muslim communities. The Terror Attacks in paris in 2015 sent a shockwave across europe. In the uk, ministers responded by announcing an extra 1,900 spies and 1,000 more Police Firearms officers. We have been building the capability of police here in the uk to respond. But the number of Firearms Officers is actually 1,300 lower than 2010. The attack in Westminster Last march once again focused concerns on keeping track of individuals known to have radical views. There were questions as to why people like the murderer, khalid masood, couldnt be monitored and, if necessary, detained. Security services have 3,000 people under investigation in active operations but only seven people have their movements restricted under special powers. The courts take a dim view of limiting peoples freedom if they havent been convicted of a crime. The dreadful bombing in manchester was followed by claims that cuts to policing may have contributed to the attack an accusation emphatically denied by the government. Ring fenced money for the polices Counterterrorism Effort has increased over the last few years, from £591; million in 2015 16, to £675 million now. But that doesnt tell the whole story, because that money comes out of the total police budget. Central government money for police has actually fallen 25 since 2010. In greater manchester, Police Counterterrorism funding is up £6 million but the force says its overall budget must go down £14 million. Spotting, monitoring and neutralising the threat from home grown terrorists is partly about resources, of course. But its also about creating a society where such an ideology cannot breed and thrive. Mark easton, bbc news. All of those who died in mondays attack have now been named. The 22nd victim was 15 year old megan hurley. She was from halewood in merseyside. Danny savage reports from manchester now, on a Community Grieving for lost family and friends. In Central Manchester today, people queued to buy flowers in remembrance of strangers. Many are at a loss about whats happened but have to do something. It was inconceivable to try and understand how the families are feeling, especially of the children. Its just shocking. Ive been a Coronation Street Superfan my entire life. 29 year old martyn hett was one of those murdered on monday night. The outgoing Coronation Street Superfan was well known online. As these possibilities got less and less and less, you still had some hope there would be something. And when you actually got the call that actually confirmed that he had died in this terrible explosion, its indescribable. Your world just collapses, terrible. The final and 22nd victim to be named today was 15 year old megan hurley. Her brother was seriously injured too. A note on the Family Business only hints as the true enormity of the tragedy. A picture of the horror which faced the First Responders has emerged too. 0n the right, here, is paramedic adam williams. He is worried about the long term effect on him and his colleagues. That is a big concern for all of us. Possibly myself, there will be some permanent scars there, emotionally. And i do worry that my colleagues will suffer the same. There is a very sombre and respectful atmosphere here. It may be four days since the atrocity, but that really is just the blink of an eye, and people here are stilljust trying to come to terms with what happened and coming to pay their respects. 22 lives lost, countless others changed forever. Families left with just memories of those who will never come home. Danny savage, bbc news, manchester. In other news today neither the conservatives nor labour are being honest over their tax and Spending Plans thats according to economists from an influential think tank. The Institute For Fiscal Studies says the tory pledge to slash immigration would cost billions, and theres no way labours Spending Plans could just be funded by businesses and the richest 5 . Heres our economics editor, kamal ahmed. 0ne says they will have a fairer economy with strict control on spending, the other spending on Public Services. Today, a damning conclusion, neither is being straight. The tories were the first in the dock. They would continue cutting day to day spending by the state. They have a settlement for the nhs which is not that generous. They would be taking a risk with Public Services. Would they allow Public Services. Would they allow Public Services. Would they allow Public Services to deteriorate, or would they top their Spending Plans 7 would they top their Spending Plans he would they top their Spending Plans up . The ifs analysis says the tories plan another Tour Parliament of austerity with cuts in welfare spending, funding period so challenging for the in england is a question about whether its deliverable, and cuts to per pupil funding in schools also in england. The ifs also says the target of lower levels of immigration could damage the economy and the 1 Public Sector pay cap means the income gap between the private and Public Sector would be at its widest for decades. Now on the positive side, the ifs does argue the tories are at least attempting to deal with the rising costs of an ageing society, with pension benefit reforms. Labour also faces some tough questions. The risk is the tax rises they would do wont bring in revenue they need for their Spending Plans. The estimate will be lower than the £49 billion they want. The question is will they just not do some of the spending increases or would they do a different tax rise. Taxes would rise for businesses and those earning above £80,000. The partys policies are likely to race just £40 billion and many people, notjust the rich, would be left worse off. Unlike the tories, the ifs says labour would do little to limit Pension Benefits and plan to fix the Retirement Age at 66 rather than letting it increase. The ifs suggests not increasing the pension age could cost £30 billion by 2050. On the positive side, it does the labours plans to borrow for investment could boost the economy. Two parties, two approaches and now, a warning. When it comes to the manifesto details, voters beware. The promises may not work out as planned. Kamal ahmed, bbc news. Egyptian fighterjets have been bombing sites in libya tonight where they say militants responsible for an attack on buses carrying Coptic Christians are hiding out. 26 people among them children were killed in the attack. Witnesses said masked men stopped the vehicles, before opening fire on the christians who were on their way to a monastery. A man with autism who put a home made bomb on a London Underground train has beenjailed for 15 years. Thejudge underground train has beenjailed for 15 years. The judge said the reasons for 20 year old damon smiths actions werent clear but that he wasnt motivated by terrorism. More now on the Manchester Attack. We heard earlier in the programme about a mosque in didsbury, attended by the bomber salman abedi. Well, 12 years ago the focus was on beeston in leeds, where the extremists who carried out the 7 7 london bombings grew up. 0ur religious Affairs Correspondent Martin Bashir has been speaking to muslims there to gauge their response to whats happened in manchester. Friday prayers at a mosque in leeds. A city with its own experience of british born extremism. They are doing the exact opposite to the language of the koran. They are causing damage inside our societies. It was from the beeston area of leeds that Mohammed Sidique khan emerged to plant death and destruction in london on the 7th ofjuly, 2005. His brother in law, ahmed patel, says the tragedy in manchester suggests little has changed. He asked us not to show his face. What have we been doing since 7 7, for 12 years . Why do we have another Terrorist Attack in the uk after 12 years . In fact, local government and Community Leaders have committed significant resources to addressing the issue of extremism among young muslims. As a young woman muslim. These young people are members of leeds muslim youth group. They offer voluntary service to the community and believe their faith inspires their action. For me as a muslim i feel outrage that someone would use the name of my religion to then go and justify committing these acts. This is spreading and it doesnt look like its stopping any time soon, which is scary for all of us, like muslims and non muslims. Thats the number one thing, show people love and care, but because without that, were not going to go anywhere. While the institutions of state, from schools to the Security Services, are focused on preventing violent extremism, what about the mosques themselves . I have to say worship places are responsible as well for brainwashing those people. So you think some of the mosques in this country are responsible . I think mosque has to be monitored in the uk. The nation may therefore be left to rely upon religious leaders to fight back against the small but dangerous few who want to pursue terror. These young men who are committing terror on our soil or elsewhere, they do profess to belong to the Muslim Community, so as a community we do have a responsibility to ask questions, to be vigilant. The Muslim Community has been working with the intelligence services. The Muslim Community has actually repeatedly reported many of these perpetrators to the intelligence services. No one will harbour any kind of extremism knowingly in the mosque or in their homes. Cooperation and Community Engagement remain the priorities, both here and at many other mosques across the country. Martin bashir, bbc news, leeds. Despite the traumatic events of earlier in the week, manchester has been getting back on its feet this evening with a free Athletics Event in the city centre ahead of a big weekend of sporting and music events. And Ariana Grande whose concert was the target of the bomb said this evening she will hold a Benefit Performance for the manchester victims later this year. Judith moritz reports. 0lympian Greg Rutherford is more used to competing in a stadium. This evening, though, the long jump was in front of the town hall. The games here have the go ahead, as does the Great Manchester Run this weekend with extra security, and more police. Of course, there are some people that are nervous, some people who are seeking reassurance. The overwhelming feeling has been yes, we are delighted its going ahead, we want to be involved, we want to demonstrate our solidarity, our support and our passion for the city. Leigh webber is one of 30,000 runners registered for the race. She says shes apprehensive, but determined to take part. Is not as if its in a place where it everybody can be checked. I know that is a high risk in that way. But i think, to be honest, all we can do is just obviously hope