Britain’s security minister has attacked Jeremy Corbyn for helping “justify” terrorism with a speech linking attacks with the UK’s foreign policy.

Ben Wallace said the timing for the Labour leader’s speech days after the Manchester attack was “incredibly disappointing and crass”.

Mr Corbyn said it is the “responsibility” of governments to minimise the risk of further atrocities and recognise the West’s “war on terror” is not working.

“I don’t think the substance of what he’s said is correct at all,” Mr Wallace told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“The person that caused these deaths this week was the individual and the terrorists who supported him. No one else is to blame for that.”

Mr Wallace, who was appointed to Theresa May’s Cabinet as security minister last year, called on Mr Corbyn to “be clear” on terrorism.

“We have to be unequivocal that no amount of excuses, no amount of twisted reasoning about foreign policy can be an excuse,” he added.

Election campaigning restarts after Manchester attack

“The reality is that these people hate our values – you only have to look at their propaganda to realise that the seeds of the salafist jihadism that this lot are currently pursuing go back way before foreign wars.

“They hate our rule of law, they hate our democracy, they hate equality and the way to see that off is not to feed excuses, not to allow those people who right now our police are trying to find any cause to think, ‘well, I’m slightly justified’. They’re not justified.”

Boris Johnson called the speech “absolutely monstrous”, adding that he found it “absolutely extraordinary and inexplicable in this week of all weeks that there should be any attempt to justify or to legitimate the actions of terrorists in this way”.

Speaking alongside the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, Foreign Secretary said: “Now now is not the time to do anything to subtract from the fundamental responsibility of those individuals, that individual in particular, who committed this atrocity and I think it is absolutely monstrous that anybody should seek to do so.”

In what is likely to be seen as a reference to Britain’s military involvement in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as air strikes against Isis – all of which he opposed – Mr Corbyn said Labour would “change what we do abroad” if it won power.

“Many experts, including professionals in our intelligence and security services, have pointed to the connections between wars our government has supported or fought in other countries, such as Libya, and terrorism here at home,” said the Labour leader.

“That assessment in no way reduces the guilt of those who attack our children. Those terrorists will forever be reviled and implacably held to account for their actions.

Salman Abedi killed 22 people in an attack at Manchester Arena (Handout)

“But an informed understanding of the causes of terrorism is an essential part of an effective response that will protect the security of our people, that fights rather than fuels terrorism.

“We must be brave enough to admit the ‘war on terror’ is simply not working. We need a smarter way to reduce the threat from countries that nurture terrorists and generate terrorism.”

Mr Corbyn stressed the “responsibility of government is to minimise” the chance of attacks by giving police the resources they need and to ensure “foreign policy reduces rather than increases the threat to this country”.

The comments have sparked widespread condemnation from political opponents including the former Liberal Democrat leader, Lord Ashdown, who said it was “not the time” to start such a charged debate.

“There will be a moment when we will want to look at the policy implications of what has happened, but that should not be in the shadow of these terrible events when the nation should stand together,” he added.

Critics pointed out that terror threats had emerged from countries where there had been varying stages of British intervention, suggesting no direct link.

“OK but which foreign policy causes terrorism?” asked Jonathan Russell, coordinator of the Extremely Together counter-extremism organisation.

“Getting rid of Saddam or not getting rid of Bashar? Being pro-Gaddafi or being anti-Gaddafi?”

The debate comes amid international alarm over the number of civilians being killed and injured by US-led air strikes against Isis in Iraq and Syria, after American forces confirmed the deaths of more than 100 civilians in a strike in Mosul.

There are warnings that coalition bombing in the Middle East is aiding Isis recruitment (Reuters)

Deaths in the Middle East are one of the most effective recruitment strategies employed by Isis and other jihadi groups, feeding into a victimhood narrative painting the West as murderers and oppressors of Muslims.

Isis propaganda channels frequently publish graphic images claiming to show dead and injured civilians, particularly children, after alleged air strikes by the US-led coalition.

A lengthy video released last week featured Russian, French and English-speaking militants calling on followers around the world to avenge their deaths and “honour” with terror attacks.

“Are you incapable of stabbing a kuffar [infidel] with a knife, throwing him off a building or hitting him with a car?” an Isis militant says in the footage, which remains available online.

“Liberate yourselves… show resolve and place your trust in Allah and he will place his faith in you.”

Harry Sarfo, a former Isis militant who grew up in the UK, described how the videos “felt like they’re calling you… but in reality it’s all a lie”.

Speaking to The Independent after being jailed on his return to Germany, he warned that the coalition bombing campaign was helping Isis recruit civilians to its cause.

“It will only give them more recruits, more men and children who will be willing to give their lives because they’ve lost their families in the bombings,” Sarfo said.

Manchester explosion in pictures Show all 37 1 /37 Manchester explosion in pictures Manchester explosion in pictures People running down stairs as they attempt to exit the Manchester Arena after a blast, where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester Twitter/@ZACH_BRUCE/ via REUTERS Manchester explosion in pictures 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 PA wire Manchester explosion in pictures Armed officers guard outside a hotel near the Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion, in Manchester, Britain EPA Manchester explosion in pictures Police officers are seen outside the Manchester Arena, where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester, northern England Reuters Manchester explosion in pictures MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Police escort members of the public from the Manchester Arena on May 23, 2017 in Manchester, England. An explosion occurred at Manchester Arena as concert goers were leaving the venue after Ariana Grande had performed. Greater Manchester Police have confirmed 19 fatalities and at least 50 injured. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Emergency services arrive close to the Manchester Arena on May 23, 2017 in Manchester, England. There have been reports of explosions at Manchester Arena where Ariana Grande had performed this evening. Greater Manchester Police have have confirmed there are fatalities and warned people to stay away from the area. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Police escort members of the public from the Manchester Arena on May 23, 2017 in Manchester, England. An explosion occurred at Manchester Arena as concert goers were leaving the venue after Ariana Grande had performed. Greater Manchester Police have confirmed 19 fatalities and at least 50 injured. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Medics deploy at the scene of a reported explosion during a concert in Manchester, England on May 23, 2017. British police said early May 23 there were "a number of confirmed fatalities" after reports of at least one explosion during a pop concert by US singer Ariana Grande. Ambulances were seen rushing to the Manchester Arena venue and police added in a statement that people should avoid the area / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police and fans close to the Manchester Arena, after reports of an explosion Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures There have been reports of explosions at Manchester Arena where Ariana Grande had performed Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police deploy at scene of explosion in Manchester, England, at a concert in Manchester Arena AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police stand by a cordoned off street close to the Manchester Arena Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police deploy at scene of explosion in Manchester, England AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police deploy at scene of a reported explosion during a concert in Manchester, England, on May 23, 2017. British police said early May 23 there were "a number of confirmed fatalities" after reports of at least one explosion during a pop concert by US singer Ariana Grande. Ambulances were seen rushing to the Manchester Arena venue and police added in a statement that people should avoid the area AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures An ambulance drives away from the Manchester Arena, where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester Reuters Manchester explosion in pictures Police escort members of the public from the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures A woman sits in the street in a blanket near the Manchester Arena as police guard the area following reports of an explosion, in Manchester, Britain EPA Manchester explosion in pictures Two women wrapped in thermal blankets stand near the Manchester Arena, where US singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester Reuters Manchester explosion in pictures A Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) bomb disposal robot is unloaded outside the Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion, in Manchester. At least 19 people have been confirmed dead and others 50 were injured, authorities said. It is being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise EPA Manchester explosion in pictures A Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) bomb disposal robot is unloaded outside the Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion, in Manchester EPA Manchester explosion in pictures Members of the public receive treatment from emergency service staff at Victoria Railway Station close to the Manchester Arena on May 23, 2017 in Manchester, England. There have been reports of explosions at Manchester Arena where Ariana Grande had performed this evening. Greater Manchester Police have have confirmed there are fatalities and warned people to stay away from the area Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Armed police after a suspected terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by US star Ariana Grande left 19 dead PA wire Manchester explosion in pictures Emergency services arrive close to the Manchester Arena in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures An amoured police vehicle patrols near Manchester Arena in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures A man carries a young girl on his shoulders near Victoria station in Manchester AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police officers stand at the Miller Street and Corporation Street Crossroads, in front of the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police block a road near to the Manchester Arena in central Manchester, England AP Manchester explosion in pictures Armed police patrol near Victoria station in Manchester, northwest England. Twenty two people have been killed and dozens injured after a suspected suicide bomber targeted fans leaving a concert of US singer Ariana Grande in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police forensic officers leave the Manchester Arena as they investigate the scene of an explosion in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures A forensic officer collects evidence on a walkway between Victoria station and Manchester Arena following a deadly terror attack in Manchester, Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures A woman and a young girl wearing a t-shirt of US singer Ariana Grande talks to police near Manchester Arena following a deadly terror attack in Manchester, Getty Manchester explosion in pictures epaselect epa05982725 Susan Walton and daughter Katie, 10 (pictured), who attended the concert of Ariana Grande at the Manchester Arena, are seen in Manchester, Britain, 23 May 2017. According to a statement released by the Greater Manchester Police on 23 May 2017, police responded to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017 evening. At least 19 people have been confirmed dead and around 50 others were injured, authorities said. The happening is currently treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise. According to reports quoting witnesses, a mass evacuation was prompted after explosions were heard at the end of US singer Ariana Grande's concert in the arena. EPA/NIGEL RODDIS EPA Manchester explosion in pictures Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese speak to the media outside Manchester Town Hall after a suicide bomber killed 22 people, including children, as an explosion tore through fans leaving a pop concert in Manchester Dave Higgens/PA Wire Manchester explosion in pictures The media gather behind a police cordon in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Flowers left close to the Manchester Arena, the morning after a suicide bomber killed 22 people, including children, as an explosion tore through fans leaving a pop concert in Manchester Danny Lawson/PA Wire Manchester explosion in pictures Ariana Grande concert attendees Karen Moore and her daughter Molly Steed, aged 14, from Derby, leave the Park Inn where they were given refuge after last night's explosion at Manchester Arena Getty Manchester explosion in pictures Signs saying 'We love Manchester' are displayed in a window in Manchester, England Getty Images

The Henry Jackson Society said jihadis use “several different narratives” to further their central desire to implement Sharia law and pointed out that Isis itself has declared it hates the West “first and foremost because you are disbelievers”.

Dr Alan Mendoza, the think tank’s executive director, said: “Isis is quite clear in its public pronouncements that it would attack us regardless of our foreign policy.

“It has used both examples of Western intervention and Western non-intervention for radicalisation purposes.

“Given Isis is so open that the basis of its terrorism is a hatred of our society and belief system, why do we have such trouble believing its own words?”

All political parties have outlined fresh efforts to combat online propaganda ahead of the general election, as investigators continue to probe a suspected terror network behind Manchester bomber Salman Abedi.

Despite supporting the overthrow of Gaddafi in Libya by the UK, which sheltered his family after they fled his regime, he later declared British people to be “infidels” who were “unjust to Arabs”.

Abedi’s attack killed 22 people, including seven children, as they left an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on Monday.

Isis claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement claiming it aimed to terrorise “infidels ... in response to their transgressions against the lands of the Muslims”.