President Trump is vowing to 'get to the bottom' of leaks about the Manchester bombing probe, ordering an investigation into whoever gave out the sensitive information.

Calling leaks a 'grave threat' to national security, Trump ordered the Justice Department to conduct a probe of the matter – which caused a strain with Great Britain, even as U.K. authorities were trying to hunt down accomplices for the attack.

The White House issued a tough statement after British Prime Minister Theresa May complained about the disclosure to the president at a NATO meeting.

'The alleged leaks coming out of government agencies are deeply troubling,' Trump said.

Donald Trump arrived in Belgium today for the Nato summit.President Donald Trump stands with British Prime Minister Theresa May during a group photo with NATO leaders

The White House statement notably didn't confine itself to the disclosure of terror-related information from a key ally, but also mentioned leaks generally – something that have been the bane of Trump's young presidency.

'These leaks have been going on for a long time and my Administration will get to the bottom of this. The leaks of sensitive information pose a grave threat to our national security,' Trump continued.

Hours after Trump's strong message, British police reopened information sharing ties with the US.

Mark Rowley, the country's most senior counter-terrorism officer, confirmed they had 'received fresh assurances' from Washington and were now 'working closely' with them.

He added: 'We greatly value the crucial relationship with our trusted partners around the world so we can collaborate and share sensitive information to defeat terrorism and protect the public at home and abroad.

'While we do not usually comment on information-sharing arrangements with international law enforcement organisations, we want to emphasize that, having received fresh assurances, we are now working closely with our key partners around the world including all those in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.'

Trump has repeatedly complained about other unauthorized disclosures, which have included notes on White House meetings and transcripts of his own conversations with world leaders and top foreign officials.

US President Donald Trump, right, speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a NATO summit of heads of state and government in Brussels on Thursday, May 25, 2017. US President Donald Trump and other NATO heads of state and government on Thursday will inaugurate the new headquarters as well as participating in an official working dinner

Even his frank assurances to Russia's foreign minister – where he reportedly called fired FBI Director James Comey a 'nut job' – have made it into the paper.

'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,' he said.

His language about other agencies is a likely reference to intelligence agencies, who might have capabilities to track the information as it made its way through U.S. channels.

Then, pointing to the row with Britain over the subject, he said: 'There is no relationship we cherish more than the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.'

US President Donald Trump, center, speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, right, during a NATO summit of heads of state and government in Brussels on Thursday, May 25, 2017. US President Donald Trump and other NATO heads of state and government on Thursday will inaugurate the new headquarters as well as participating in an official working dinner

The pledge came as Trump was visiting NATO headquarters, and after British Prime Minister Theresa May warned that the flagrant breaches were undermining the Special Relationship.

She vowed to 'make it clear to President Trump that intelligence that is shared between our law enforcement agencies must remain secure.'

The New York Times on Wednesday published images of blood-smeared remnants of Salman Abedi's backpack, along with shrapnel and a battery.

The images were deemed highly sensitive, and were published even as an international manhunt in connection with the bombing continued.

Earlier, the top U.S. diplomat in Britain issued a tough statement of his own. 'These leaks were reprehensible, deeply distressing,' said charge d'affaires Lewis Lukens, the New York Times reported. 'We unequivocally condemn them.'

Shrapnel: Tightly packed nuts and screws caused horrific injuries after the bomb was detonated in the arena

Arriving for a NATO summit in Brussels where the two leaders are expected to hold talks, Trump said that the leaks posed a 'grave threat' to American national security and he would ensure the culprit was found.

Earlier, the Prime Minister told reporters that the Transatlantic ties were 'built on trust' in a pointed rebuke.

A major row has broken out over the leaks, with UK police temporarily stopping sharing intelligence about the terror investigation with our closest ally.

It is understood American law enforcement agencies had the pictures for only a matter of hours before they were leaked to a journalist from the New York Times.

May told reporters the Special Relationship was the 'deepest defense and security partnership that we have' and it was 'built on trust'.

'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 remain secure,' she added.

Helpers attend to people inside the Manchester Arena after a suspected suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the end of an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 people. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday May 22, 2017

The acting US ambassador in London, Lewis Lukens said the breaches were 'reprehensible and deeply distressing'.

'We unequivocally condemn them,' he said. 'The United States government is launching an investigation into these leaks and will take appropriate action once we identify the source of the leaks,' he said. 'We are determined to identify these leaks and to stop them.'

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said she was 'confident' that the breaches would stop and the suspension of intelligence-sharing would be temporary.

She said: 'Greater Manchester Police and the counter-terrorism police have taken a view. We hope that it is just going to be temporary, but it has been worrying, the leaks.

Statement from President Trump on leaks The alleged leaks coming out of government agencies are deeply troubling. These leaks have been going on for a long time and my Administration will get to the bottom of this. 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. There is no relationship we cherish more than the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. Advertisement

'But we are confident that will now end.'

'SOPHISTICATED' BOMB USED BY ABEDI Detonator: The sophisticated device may have been triggered remotely Bomber Salman Abedi carried his bomb in a common Karrimor rucksack which was triggered with a switch held in his left hand, leaked crime scene photographs suggest. Experts who analysed the photographs last night said that the mechanisms raised the possibility that someone else could have detonated the explosives for Abedi – which could explain why Islamic State did not describe his barbaric attack as a suicide. The photographs, which were leaked to the New York Times, were described as 'law enforcement' images – apparently leaked after being shared between British and US security agencies. Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, former head of the Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment for the Army, said its 'sophistication' pointed to an Islamic State device. He said: 'The sophistication of this is absolutely key. Of all the detonators I've seen in Syria, this one leads me to believe it is the handiwork of IS.' The photographs also showed the metal nuts and screws that were blasted out of the bag, turning them into deadly shrapnel. And police found the remnants of a Yuasa 12 volt, 2.1amp lead acid battery, said to be more powerful – and, at £12, more expensive – than batteries found in other suicide bombs. The batteries, which are similar to a small car battery in appearance, are sometimes used to power emergency lighting. The evidence helps to explain why the security services are so convinced Abedi had travelled to a conflict zone in which he received training and was part of a wider terrorist cell. Advertisement

Speaking at Downing Street earlier today, May said the terror threat level would remain at critical.

Addressing the issue of the leaks, she said: 'I will make clear to President Trump that intelligence that is shared between our law enforcement agencies must remain secure.'

Whitehall sources said there was an investigation into who was behind the leaks after another US media outlet had been told the name of the killer hours before British police had raided his home.

A spokesman for Counter Terrorism Policing, the body that includes the police, security and intelligence agencies, tweeted: 'Unauthorised disclosure of potential evidence in the middle of a major investigation undermines our work.'

There are concerns the leaks could do lasting damage to one of the closest intelligence-sharing relationships in the world.

In an unprecedented move, the British Attorney General, National Security Adviser and senior security officials and police officers have all raised their fury with their US counterparts.

Strong concerns were raised that leaks risk compromising the investigation.

On the US side, fury over the unauthorized disclosure was also strong.

Trump's call for prosecution of the leakers was his most pointed call to action yet.

Rep. Adam Schiff, the highest ranking Democrat on the House's Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that the British government has every right to be furious.

'Controlling the flow of information early in an investigation is critical to the identification and arrest of other potential suspects before they are tipped off,' he said.

Schiff stressed the special relationship between the US and the UK that is 'critical to our security and theirs.'

'Any break or deviation from that relationship or the profound trust we have in the British and they have in us, would be a grave loss for both countries. We must take any steps necessary to remedy this problem immediately,' he stated.

A senior Whitehall source also emphasized the negative effect that leaks could have on catching culprits.

'These leaks from inside the US system are likely to deeply distress the victims, their families and the wider public. Information has also been leaked which risks compromising the investigation into this appalling crime.

'Protests have been lodged at every relevant level between the British authorities and our US counterparts. They are in no doubt about our huge strength of feeling on this issue. It is unacceptable.'

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: 'These leaks are completely unacceptable and must stop immediately.

'This behavior is arrogant and is undermining the investigation into the horrific attack on the city of Manchester.'

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said he shared the 'anger and disbelief' over the leaks.

'I think the UK Government is right to, hopefully for a short period, stop sharing intelligence information like this with the American government,' she said.

A statement from the National Police Chiefs Council said: 'We greatly value the important relationships we have with our trusted intelligence, law enforcement and security partners around the world.

'These relationships enable us to collaborate and share privileged and sensitive information, that allows us to defeat terrorism and protect the public at home and abroad.

'When that trust is breached, it undermines these relationships, and undermines our investigations and the confidence of victims, witnesses and their families.

'This damage is even greater when it involves unauthorised disclosure of potential evidence in the middle of a major counter-terrorism investigation.'

Mrs May arrived in Brussels on the official government plane today for the Nato summit

NEW YORK TIMES DEFENDS LEAKED BOMB PHOTOS The publication of leaked evidence photographs from the scene of the Manchester terror attack was 'neither graphic nor disrespectful of victims', the New York Times said today. Images believed to have been handed to the paper by US police officials caused outrage when they surfaced on yesterday. The New York Times said in a statement: 'The images and information presented were neither graphic nor disrespectful of victims, and consistent with the common line of reporting on weapons used in horrific crimes. 'We have strict guidelines on how and in what ways we cover sensitive stories. Our coverage of Monday's horrific attack has been both comprehensive and responsible.' Advertisement

Lord Carlile, the former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, described the leaks as 'very unusual and irresponsible' and called for those responsible to be 'called to account'.

'Photos of the backpack after the event could be of utility to future bomb makers, for obvious reasons,' he said.

'Also, it damages decades of confidence between the UK and US services, the cohesion of the 'Five Eyes' group, and sharing of information with French, German and other security services.

'These leaks made yesterday a very bad day for national security in several countries, and those responsible should be called to account.'

Former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lord Blair said the leak of images from the attack was a 'grievous breach' although something similar had happened after the London 7/7 bombings.

Lord Blair, who was head of the Metropolitan Police during the deadly 2005 attacks, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I'm afraid it just reminds me exactly of what happened after 7/7 when the United States published a complete picture of the way the bombs in 7/7 had been made up.

'And we had the same protests. It's a different world in which the United States operate in the sense of how they publish things, and this is a very grievous breach, but I'm afraid it's the same as before.'

The photographs, published in the New York Times last night, came just hours after the Government warned the US authorities not to leak details of the Manchester terror investigation.

Backpack: The Karrimor rucksack in which the bomb was packed, before Salman entered the venue in Manchester

Battery: The 12-volt battery was more powerful than usually used. The leak came after Home Secretary Amber Rudd blasted American security officials for disclosing sensitive intelligence

The leak came after Home Secretary Amber Rudd, pictured in Downing Street today, blasted American security officials for disclosing sensitive intelligence

Manchester metro mayor Andy Burnham said the 'arrogant' leaks in the US were undermining the police investigation

The US newspaper said they showed a blood-stained silver detonator, said to have been held in the bomber's left hand, with wires trailing from one end lying on the floor. There were also images of torn scraps from a blue Karrimor rucksack as well as screws and nuts used as shrapnel.

The paper described them as 'law enforcement images' but did not make clear how they had been obtained.

The nature of the photographs left no doubt that they were taken as part of the forensic investigation of the scene, and were not snapshots taken by members of the public. The paper also published a map showing the location of the victims of the bombing, positioned in a circle around the presumed site of the explosion in the arena foyer, as well as what is thought to be Abedi's torso some distance away.

US congressman Mike McCaul, Republican chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said the bomb was of a 'level of sophistication' that might indicate its maker had foreign training.

He described it as 'a classic explosive device used by terrorists', using the same substance as the one used in the deadly November 2015 attacks in Paris and the March 2016 attack in Brussels.

Mr McCaul said evidence so far suggests 'we're not dealing with a lone wolf situation', adding: 'There's a network - a cell of Isis-inspired terrorists.'

The leak came after Home Secretary Amber Rudd blasted American security officials for disclosing sensitive intelligence. In a rare public slapdown, she said it was 'irritating' that facts including the identity of Abedi and death toll had been made public to US media ahead of its release in the UK.

Miss Rudd said the British police had wanted to control the flow of information so Abedi's accomplices were not tipped off – and warned Washington that 'it should not happen again'.

Miss Rudd told BBC Radio 4's Today program she intends to look again at the issue of information-sharing if it works against the wishes of the police.