Brit PM scolds Trump: You’re not being helpful with terror tweets

British Prime Minister Theresa may has scolded US President Donald Trump for ‘unhelpful’ tweets in the wake of the bombing on London’s tube.

In a tweet following the bombing, which left at least 19 people injured, Trump claimed that the British law enforcement knew the identity of the bomber or bombers. It wasn’t clear if he was referring specifically to information he’d been given by his own intelligence agency or just speculating on what may be known by the UK’s security services.

Another attack in London by a loser terrorist.These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

In its latest statement, the Metropolitan Police said only that there had been no arrests made over the attack, as it undertook “fast-time inquiries to establish who was responsible.” And a Scotland Yard spokesman told the media that Trump’s comments were “pure speculation”.

Commenting after Trump tweeted, May herself said, “I never think it’s helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation”.

And May’s former chief of staff Nick Timothy quickly backed her up, saying he was sure Trump had no idea about whether UK security forces knew the identity of the attacker or attackers.

https://twitter.com/NickJTimothy/status/908644201763688448

But Trump wasn’t to be silenced, implying in a following tweet that he believed the UK wasn’t being tough enough on terror.

Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner.The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017

Daniel Hannan, a Conservative Member of the European Parliament, didn’t take that criticism lying down, explaining in a tweet that what may seem like a lack of fervour to Trump was merely the famous Blitz spirit.

London is not passive in the face of terrorism, my overseas friends. It is stoical, as during the Blitz. There's a difference.

— Daniel Hannan (@DanielJHannan) September 15, 2017

The bomb, which was in a bucket left on a train running on the District Line through Parsons Green station in London, only partially detonated. There were reports that British security services had identified a suspect from CCTV footage but no confirmation of that claim. 

In its latest statement, the Met’s assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said that hundreds of detectives were currently looking at CCTV, carrying out forensic work and speaking to witnesses.

“Today and over the weekend the public can expect to see a heightened police presence, particularly in crowded places and at transport hubs,” he said.

The incident has been declared a terror attack, with 19 people taken to hospital suffering from burns. Most of the injuries were minor, according to a statement from the London Ambulance Service.

Do you think governments need to get even tougher on terror?