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Theresa May launched an extraordinary attack on Jeremy Corbyn today as she accused him of suggesting the Manchester terror attack was Britain's "own fault".

In a clear sign the Tories are rattled by their tumbling poll ratings, Mrs May turned the Manchester bombing into a full-scale political row.

The PM shamelessly tried to twist Mr Corbyn's words to suggest he was blaming Britain for the attack - despite his making crystal clear that only the bomber was to blame.

"I'm going to be very clear about what has been said today," the PM said in what appeared to be carefully prepared comments at a press conference at the G7 summit.

"What has happened is I have been here at the G7 working with other international leaders to fight terrorism.

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"At the same time, Jeremy Corbyn has said that terror attacks in Britain are our own fault - and he has chosen to do that just a few days after one of the worst terrorist atrocities we have experienced in the United Kingdom.

"I want to make one thing very clear to Jeremy Corbyn - and it is that there can never be an excuse for terrorism - there can be no excuse for what happened in Manchester."

Unashamedly trying to use Manchester to pick up extra votes, Mrs May said: "The choice that people face at the general election has just become starker.

(Image: REUTERS)

"It's a choice between me, working constantly to protect the national interest and to protect our security - and Jeremy Corbyn , who frankly isn't up to the job."

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said Mrs May was lying in her attack on the Labour leader.

"Once again, Theresa May is not telling the truth," the spokesman said.

In his speech, Mr Corbyn said "protecting this country requires us to be both strong against terrorism and strong against the causes of terrorism".

"The blame is with the terrorists, but if we are to protect our people we must be honest about what threatens our security."