Anti-terror barriers installed on three key London bridges

Large concrete barriers have been installed overnight at Waterloo, Lambeth and Westminster bridges.

Police have also been guarding the capital's main bridges in order to stave off any potential "copycat" attacks.

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Image:The sturdy concrete structures stand at both ends of the bridge

The increased measures to protect the public come just 24 hours after seven people were killed and 48 injured in a terror attack in London Bridge and Borough Market.

The white van used in the attack was able to reach speeds of more that 50mph before it was driven into victims on the bridge.

:: What we know about London Bridge killers

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The three male attackers then jumped out of the vehicle and stabbed people with foot-long knives.

It has been reported that London's municipal governing body, City of London Corporation (COLC), ruled out installing anti-terror bollards in the London Bridge area just 24 hours before the attack.

After the Westminster Bridge terrorist atrocity in March, which killed five and left more than 50 injured, security barriers were installed outside Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

Following Saturday's rampage, Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick has increased patrols on London's streets, including armed officers.

Gulf diplomatic crisis: Qatar's reaction in full

Qatar foreign ministry expressed deep regret at the diplomatic rift with its neighbours [File:Reuters]

The following statement was posted online in Arabic by the Qatari foreign ministry on Monday.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar expressed its deep regret and surprise at the decisions by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain to close their borders and airspace, and sever diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar, bearing in mind that these measures are unjustified and based on false claims and assumptions.

The State of Qatar has been subjected to a campaign of lies that have reached the point of complete fabrication. It reveals a hidden plan to undermine the State of Qatar.

Qatar is an active member of the Gulf Cooperation Council and is fully committed to its charter. Qatar respects the sovereignty of other nations and does not interfere in their internal affairs, and it has fulfilled its role in fighting terrorism and extremism.

It is clear that the media campaign of fabrications has failed to sway public opinion in the region, and among Gulf countries in particular, and this explains the continued escalation against Qatar.

That reasons were fabricated in order to take action against a brotherly GCC nation is clear evidence that there is no legitimate justification for such measures, which have been implemented in coordination with Egypt.

Their purpose is clearly the imposition of guardianship over Qatar, which is in itself a violation of its sovereignty, and is rejected outright.

The Qatari statement pointed out that the allegations contained in the statements by the three GCC nations announcing the severing of relations clearly confirms the existence of a planned and clandestine media campaign, which has included fabrications and fake news.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that these measures will not affect the normal course of life of citizens and residents of Qatar. The Qatari government will take all necessary measures to ensure this and thwart attempts to influence and harm Qatari society and economy.

Finally, Qatar's Foreign Ministry expressed its regret that the three countries have determined, at this critical time for the region, that there are no greater threats to their people that require their attention, and have instead decided to target and cause harm to the State of Qatar."

Trump pledges support for UK after London terror tweet barrage

Donald Trump has said he will do "everything in our power to assist the UK" following the London terror attacks.

However, he avoided mentioning his earlier outbursts on Twitter that had used the London attacks to push for the reinstatement of a travel ban from mainly Muslim countries and another that criticised London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Speaking at an annual fundraiser for Ford's Theatre in Washington DC, the US President said he had spoken with British Prime Minister Theresa May and "expressed our unwavering support for our allies in the United Kingdom".

Standing on stage with his wife and First Lady Melania, he added that the US "will do everything in our power to assist the United Kingdom and its citizens as they work to protect their country and to bring those that are guilty to justice".

"America sends our thoughts, our prayers and our deepest sympathies to the victims of this evil slaughter and we renew our resolve stronger than ever before: To protect the United States and its allies from a vile enemy that has waged war on innocent life and it's gone on too long.

"This bloodshed must end, this bloodshed will end."

Image:Seven people were killed and dozens injured in London on Saturday night

The words came just hours after a barrage of London-related tweets to his 31.5 million followers that offended and embarrassed some on both sides of the Atlantic.

Shortly after three terrorists had deliberately hit pedestrians on London Bridge before getting out of their van to stab people, Mr Trump tweeted: "We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the travel ban as an extra level of safety!"

The ban has been blocked by US courts but last week, Mr Trump's administration formally asked the Supreme Court to allow it to take effect, arguing that restricting immigration by refugees and visitors from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen is necessary for national security.

A few minutes after his first tweet, he seemed to have had a re-think and opted for a more diplomatic tone instead, tweeting: "Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the UK, we will be there - We are with you. God bless!."

Tackling terrorism top of election campaign agenda

Fighting terrorism will be the main focus as full campaigning resumes ahead of Thursday's General Election.

In a speech on Sunday evening, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn blamed Prime Minister Theresa May for denying police and security services the resources they needed to protect Britons.

Mr Corbyn has already promised to recruit 10,000 police officers and said that, if he wins the election, he will commission a report from security services on the terror threat.

He has accused Mrs May of trying to "protect the public on the cheap", cutting 20,000 police officers, despite warnings from the Police Federation that this would affect public safety.

He also said he backed the "full authority for the police to use whatever force is necessary to protect and save life as they did last night, as they did in Westminster in March".

Mr Corbyn said: "Our priority must be public safety and I will take whatever action is necessary and effective to protect the security of our people and our country."

Responding to Mr Corbyn, Conservative security minister Ben Wallace said: "Voters will judge him on his views and actions in the last 30 years, not his desperate promises and evasive soundbites three days out from polling day."

There were seven people killed and dozens injured when three terrorists drove a van onto the pavement on London Bridge on Saturday night and then got out to begin stabbing people.

There have been reports of the heroic actions of people in the area, who did their best to fight off the attackers, and of the police who took just eight minutes to reach the scene.

The attack follows a suicide bombing at a Manchester concert less than two weeks earlier which killed 22 people and a car and knife attack in Westminster in March, which killed five.

Speaking after the London attack, Mrs May said the three attacksrepresented a "new trend" of people and small groups inspired by the same "evil ideology of Islamist extremism".

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."