Sky Views: Manchester tribute was everything terrorists hate

When Miley Cyrus took to the stage at One Love Manchester wearing the teeniest pair of cut-off denim shorts, it felt like a political statement.

On Sunday night tens of thousands of people packed out the Old Trafford cricket ground just 13 days after a bomb ripped through an Ariana Grande show at Manchester Arena. It was particularly poignant coming just a day after a separate terrorist attack in London that killed seven people.

The Miley Cyrus performance was followed by girl band Little Mix, who had squeezed into a series of racy black and white outfits. The four young women bounced around the stage in bra tops and bum-baring leotards, black tassles swinging joyfully.


Young, liberated, successful women wearing whatever they damn well want is exactly what the extremists don't want to see.Sophy Ridge

I admit, I'm usually someone who finds it mildly depressing that female pop stars feel the need to bare so much flesh (or - perhaps more accurately - their management feels the need for them to do so).

But as I watched the incredibly moving One Love Manchester concert, I couldn't help thinking there was something wonderfully defiant about the young women singing on stage wearing anything from Ariana Grande's sweatshirt and jeans to Katy Perry's bizarre white feathered jacket.

Somehow it felt like the perfect way to stick two fingers up to the terrorists.

Because young, liberated, successful women wearing whatever they damn well want is exactly what the extremists don't want to see.

Image:Singers Pharrell Williams and Miley Cyrus perform during the One Love Manchester benefit concert

Terrorists pick their targets carefully, whether Londoners enjoying drinks and dinner on Saturday night, Christmas markets in Berlin or a priest at a church in Normandy, France. All are attacks on a way of life.

It was no coincidence that 22-year-old Salman Abedi decided to blow himself up at an Ariana Grande concert. He would have known that the pop star's fans are predominantly young women, as the heart-breaking photographs of the victims made abundantly clear. A total of 22 people died, including an eight-year-old girl.

Islamic State's twisted ideology is deeply misogynistic. In the warped minds of extremists, Ariana Grande's brand of femininity is threatening. How apt, then, that her tour is called Dangerous Woman - and how life affirming to see other dangerous women singing their hearts out in front of tens of thousands of people in Manchester.

LIVE: Police say they know who attackers are

KEY POINTS

The first London victim to be named is Christine Archibald, a Canadian woman from British Columbia

Police have carried out further raids at two addresses in East London

It comes after 12 people were arrested in Barking under the Terrorism Act and one has since been released

Seven people were killed in the attack on Saturday night, and 21 remain in a critical condition

Police have said they used around 50 bullets to shoot dead the three attackers, also injuring a member of public
Ariana Grande has returned to Manchester for a star-studded concert in memory of those who died at the city's arena
National political campaign resumes


09:59


Forensic officers are the scene of the attack

09:49






A former senior aide to David Cameron calls on Theresa May to resign

Steve Hilton, the former PM's strategy chief, cites "security failures" following the three terror attacks that have hit the country in recent months. He says Theresa May "should be resigning not seeking re-election".

Ariana Grande takes to stage at gig for Manchester terror victims

Ariana Grande made an emotional return to the stage at a tribute concert to the victims of the Manchester terror attack.

The American singer appeared in front of an estimated 50,000 fans at the One Love Manchester show less than two weeks since her gig was targeted by a suicide bomber.

Grande had arranged Sunday's concert at Manchester's Old Trafford cricket ground in tribute to the 22 people killed and 116 injured at the Manchester Arena on 22 May.

The 23-year-old star arrived on stage an hour into the show, for which there were extra security measures in place following Saturday night's terror attack in London.

Grande wore a white jumper emblazoned with the slogan One Love Manchester as she performed.

Many in the crowd were in tears as Grande sang with a choir from Parrs Wood High School, who have raised thousands of pounds for the families of the bombing victims.

Grande comforted soloist Natasha Seth, who was overcome with emotion, mouthing to the schoolgirl: "Babe, it's ok."

Some members of the choir had been present at the tragic 22 May show.

Grande asked the crowd: "Tonight is all about love, am I right?"

She added: "I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for coming today, I love you so, so much. Thank you.

"I think the kind of love you're displaying is the kind of medicine the world really needs right now. So I want to thank you for being just that."

Grande described how she changed her plans for the show after the mother of bombing victim Olivia Campbell had revealed the 15-year-old "would have wanted to hear the hits".

She joined Coldplay to perform Oasis hit Don't Look Back In Anger, to recall how city centre crowds had spontaneously burst into a rendition of the song in the days after the Manchester bombing.

All of those who had attended Grande's concert last month had been offered free tickets to Sunday's show, while those who were still recovering from their injuries in hospital were watching on TV.

The large crowd had fallen at the start of the concert to remember those who were killed and injured in both Manchester and London.

Kicking off the concert, Marcus Mumford told concert-goers: "Let's not be afraid."

His performance was followed by Take That, with star Gary Barlow telling the crowd: "Our thoughts are with everyone that's been affected by this but right now we want to stand strong, look at the sky, sing loud and proud."

Robbie Williams then led the thousands inside the venue in a chorus of: "Manchester, we're strong, we're strong, we're strong.

"We're still singing our songs, our songs, our songs."

Image:The crowd at Old Trafford for the One Love Manchester concert

During a rendition of his hit song Angels, Williams told the crowd: "I need you on this one."

Describing the "emotional" atmosphere at Old Trafford, Sky's Entertainment Correspondent Katie Spencer said: "It's turning into a real celebration of community spirit and people coming together.

"Everyone's joining in, everyone wants to sing out with one voice."

Briefsfromshittu: 'Hero' tried to distract Borough Market attackers ...

Briefsfromshittu: 'Hero' tried to distract Borough Market attackers ...: A witness has told Sky News how he tried to distract terrorists at Borough Market as they stabbed a woman multiple times. Gerard Vowles said...

'Hero' tried to distract Borough Market attackers from woman

A witness has told Sky News how he tried to distract terrorists at Borough Market as they stabbed a woman multiple times.

Gerard Vowles said he heard the attackers cry "This is for Allah" moments before they targeted the victim.

"She was going 'help me, help me' and screaming," he added.

"It was horrible. I felt helpless. I'm sad for that poor girl, what they did to her, and I wish I could have done more to help her."

Mr Vowles said he ran towards them to distract them from attacking the woman.

"They chased me, one of them did," he said.

"I nearly slipped over. I thought if I would have gone over, I would have been dead. They would have stabbed me, I would have been lying there, maybe 50 stab wounds."

:: LIVE - Latest updates on London Bridge terror

When another witness who was throwing bottles complimented Mr Vowles on his bravery, he responded that "all I was trying to do was get them to follow me to get them to the main road where the armed police were going".

"I'm hoping that she's alive because I want to go and see her in hospital so I can just say I tried my best to help you, I'm just glad you're alive," said Mr Vowles.

"When you see it on the news you feel sorry for the people, but when you see it in real life it's a totally different thing."

"It's the most evil thing I've ever seen in my life," he said.

:: The moment police took down terrorists

Image:People leave the area with their hands up after an incident near London Bridge in London, Pic: Reuters

An officer who was injured in the attack has been commended for his bravery by the head of the British Transport Police, after it emerged the policeman had confronted the attackers using only his baton.

Chief Constable Paul Crowther said: "Having visited the officer in hospital shortly after he was admitted for treatment, I was able to hear his account of what happened last night.

"It became clear that he showed enormous courage in the face of danger, as did many others who were at the scene and rushed to help.

"Although he is seriously unwell, he was able to recount how he faced the attackers armed only with his baton, outside London Bridge station.

"For an officer who only joined us less than two years ago, the bravery he showed was outstanding and makes me extremely proud."

Speaking after a COBRA meeting this morning, the Prime Minister said she would like to "thank and pay tribute" to the police and emergency services.

She also extended her thanks and tributes to "the courage of members of the public who defended themselves and others from the attackers."

:: May - We are 'too tolerant of extremism'

Image:Counter terrorism officers near London Bridge

Cressida Dick, the Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, joined the PM in saying she had heard "truly remarkable stories of extraordinary brave actions by officers - on and off duty - who were first on the scene.

"I also heard of colleagues from other emergency services and members of the public who ran towards the danger as this incident unfolded.

"Many, many people risked their own safety to help others and to treat those seriously injured and indeed to confront the suspects involved.

"It is clear to me that the courage of those people during and following the attack was extraordinary," said the commissioner.

"I pay tribute to all of them who came to the aid of those in need during this dreadful attack and I am sure helped to save lives."

Donald Trump slams Mayor of London Sadiq Khan over terror attack

US President Donald Trump appeared to hit out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan in the wake of the capital's terror attack.

Following the atrocity, Mr Trump wrote: "At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is 'no reason to be alarmed!'"

He seemed to be referring to Mr Khan's earlier statement that "Londoners will see an increased police presence today and over the course of the next few days. There's no reason to be alarmed".

Strongly condemning the attack in London Bridge and Borough Market, the mayor appealed to people to remain vigilant, while at the same time assuring them that the capital is "one of the safest global cities in the world."

In response, a spokesperson for the London Mayor said Mr Khan "is busy working with the police, emergency services and the government to coordinate the response to this horrific and cowardly terrorist attack".

"He has more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump's ill-informed tweet that deliberately takes out of context his remarks urging Londoners not to be alarmed when they saw more police - including armed officers - on the streets," the spokesperson said.

Mr Trump also tweeted about political correctness and brought gun control into the debate, in light of the fact the attackers "used knives and a truck".

Earlier in the day, the President had sent a tweet following initial reports of the attack, telling the UK that Americans "are with you" and "we need to be smart, vigilant and tough".

But he was criticised for turning attention back to the US and his immigration crackdown by adding: "We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!"

He went on to say: "Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the UK, we will be there."

He also retweeted an early unconfirmed report on the attack from a US news aggregation website.

Former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell called the President's opportunistic tweet "classless", writing: "Merkel, @EmmanuelMacron make well pitched reactions to London attacks @potus relies on unconfirmed reports to promote travel ban #classless".

The US state department has said that America "condemns the cowardly attacks" and was "ready to assist".

Theresa May said there is far too much tolerance of extremism in the UK and it is time to be more robust in tackling it.

Speaking in Downing Street following the atrocity, the Prime Minister said it was time to say "enough is enough".

Image:Buses at a standstill on London Bridge

:: LIVE: Van attack and stabbings at London Bridge
:: Witness accounts of London terror attack
:: London attack: What's happening where

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "Brutal and shocking incidents reported in London. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Thank you to the emergency services."

Meanwhile Japan has warned its citizens to avoid potential terror targets in London, following the attacks.

The nation issued a travel advisory mentioning sightseeing spots, department stores, markets, concert venues and political rallies.

Image:People leave the area with their hands up after the London Bridge attack

Japan's foreign ministry warned visitors to the UK should "pay close attention to the surroundings, and leave quickly if any suspicious signs are seen".

French Prime Minister Emmanual Macron tweeted: "In the face of this new tragedy, France is more than ever at the side of the UK. My thoughts are with the victims and those close to them."

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: "Awful news from London tonight. We're monitoring the situation."

Australia's foreign minister Julie Bishop described the incidents as a "shocking situation".

She said in a statement: "We stand ready to support the British government as it responds to these attacks and our thoughts are with those injured and their families."

European Commission leader Jean-Claude Juncker said: "Following latest London incidents with horror. Thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Please stay safe."

Tension between Theresa May and Facebook over extremism online

Just 12 hours after the London Bridge attack, the Prime Minister was clear where at least some of the blame lies.

"We cannot allow this ideology the safe space it needs to breed," Theresa May said on the steps of Downing Street.

"Yet that is precisely what the internet - and the big companies that provide internet-based services - provide."

It was extraordinary in the aftermath of the recent attack, where facts remain unclear and where victims have not yet been named, for the Prime Minister to make such a political response.

She continued: "We need to work with allied, democratic governments to reach international agreements that regulate cyberspace to prevent the spread of extremism and terrorist planning.

"And we need to do everything we can at home to reduce the risks of extremism online."

She also posted her statement to Facebook, and the social media giant was the first to respond.

You don't have to read between the lines to see that Facebook is not happy. The company believes that it already does a lot.

Facebook's policy director wrote: "Using a combination of technology and human review, we work aggressively to remove terrorist content from our platform as soon as we become aware of it.

"If we become aware of an emergency involving imminent harm to someone's safety, we notify law enforcement.

"Online extremism can only be tackled with strong partnerships. We have long collaborated with policymakers, civil society, and others in the tech industry, and we are committed to continuing this important work together."

Sources at other technology companies are also keen to stress how much, in their view, they work with government.

They were surprised to be singled out by the PM so quickly.

"Today isn't the day for a public row," one source told me.

In her statement, the PM was driving at two different agendas: "spreading extremism" and "planning attacks".

On the first, it is reasonable for tech companies to do a little more. Over the last few years, they've become much quicker at removing flagged videos and accounts.

And here the Government's and the technology companies' interests are pretty aligned: social networks do not want harmful content on their sites - to keep both users, and advertisers, happy.

The problem comes with content that is not obviously terrorist and thus illegal. When does free speech become extremism?

The Government itself has struggled to define extremism legally, and technology companies are not going to be able to do any better.

The second part - "terrorist planning" - is a reference to the problems posed by end-to-end encryption. Encryption keeps users secure but also makes it hard for governments to monitor communications.

The issue is a long-running one. The Westminster and Manchester attacks brought it back to our attention.

What is often missed is that the Government already has the legal powers to order companies to provide communications unencrypted. But it has never enforced them.

That may well change now. And it will lead to a very big showdown indeed.