Police will stop sharing details of the Manchester attack with the US until assurances are given that there will be no more leaks, officials have told Sky News.

British police and security services are said to be furious after their US counterparts leaked pictures from the crime scene to the media.

The New York Times published pictures that appear to show remnants of the attacker's backpack and a suspected trigger device and battery from the bomb.

Image: Pictures appeared to show remnants of the bomber's backpack

The name of the attacker, Salman Abedi, also appeared in US media the day after the attack - before UK authorities had publicly named him.

The pause on information sharing is thought to involve "law enforcement" rather than intelligence agencies, such as the FBI, MI6 and MI5.


Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will use the NATO summit to "make clear to President Trump that intelligence that is shared between our law enforcement agencies must remain secure".

Diplomatic language has been used by the Government to describe the leaks.

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Image: A battery that could have been the power source of the bomb

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon called it "obviously disappointing" and Home Secretary Amber Rudd said she had made it "very clear" the leaks must stop.

But privately, police and security chiefs, as well as senior politicians, are said to be livid.

Intelligence sharing between Western allies is routine on the understanding it is not leaked or passed on without consent.

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Unauthorised disclosure of potential evidence in the middle of a major CT investigation undermines our work & confidence of victims — Terrorism Police UK (@TerrorismPolice) 24 May 2017

UK authorities are angry because such disclosures could compromise their investigation, while also potentially undermining the confidence of the victims and their families in the inquiry.

A Government source said: "We are furious. This is completely unacceptable.

"These images leaked from inside the US system will be distressing for victims, their families and the wider public.

"The issue is being raised at every relevant level by the British authorities with their US counterparts."