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The stories still emerging about those who have lost their lives or been hurt are truly heartbreaking.

To target children and young people like this is cowardly, inhumane and barbaric.

As well as supporting families who are suffering and standing in solidarity with the people of Manchester against this vilest of crimes, we need to back the police, the security services, the Manchester Mayor and the Government in their important work to pursue this investigation and keep people safe.

The Government was right to accept the advice of national security experts on raising the threat to critical and right to respond to the police request to be able to draw upon additional military resources over the next few days to ensure they have the capabilities they need to deal with the critical threat.

They have a vital job to do investigating this attack, to find out whether there is a wider network involved and to keep people safe from any ongoing threat.

I would urge anyone who thinks they have any information to contact the anti-terror hotline on 0800 789 321.

The police and security services will also want to investigate the Libya connection, the intelligence available and how and when this man was radicalised, whether it was abroad, at home or online.

There are of course wider issues which will need to be addressed.

Although we don't know the specific factors in this appalling attack, there is already widespread agreement that much stronger action from social media companies is essential to stop dangerous and illegal jihadi recruitment propaganda online.

And the Select Committee has called in the past for more work with family or friends who are concerned about someone becoming radicalised.

But most immediately our concerns must continue to be for everyone to work together to deal with the aftermath of this appalling attack - supporting the families, supporting a city, pursuing all those responsible and keeping people safe.

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Last night, when the people of Manchester stood together against hatred and fear, the whole country was behind them.

Terrorists and extremists want to divide us, but Manchester has shown already the determination never to let them win.