Donald Trump on London 'terror' explosion: US President says Parsons Green tube suspect was 'in sights of Scotland Yard'

Donald Trump has performed a U-turn on his election pledge to withdraw troops from Afghanistan
AP
Jonathan Mitchell15 September 2017

Donald Trump has said the terror suspect being hunted over an explosion on a rush-hour Tube train was “in the sights of Scotland Yard”.

Twenty-two people have been treated in hospital after an “improvised explosive device” went off at Parsons Green station on Friday morning, sparking a series of tweets from the US President.

He said the explosion, which the Met Police has confirmed is being treated as a terrorist incident, was the act of a “loser terrorists” who were “in the sights of Scotland Yard”.

The comments sparked a backlash for appearing to criticise the Met Police in the wake of the suspected attack and, if true, leaking British intelligence over social media.

The US President offered no evidence to back up his claim, while Scotland has yet to release any information about who they are hunting.

In a series of tweets posted on Friday morning, Mr Trump said: “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!

“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!”

Parsons Green explosion incident on the Tube - In pictures

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Mr Trump attempted to use the suspected attack to justify his controversial travel ban from Muslim countries, saying immigration rules in the United States must be “far larger and tougher”.

Nick Timothy, the former chief of staff to Prime Minister Theresa May, said it was “unhelpful” to suggest the Met Police knew of the suspect without any evidence.

He tweeted: “True or not - and I'm sure he doesn't know - this is so unhelpful from leader of our ally and intelligence partner.”

The bucket believed to have caused the explosion at Parsons Green ()
Kett News

The Met’s counter-terrorism command has launched an investigation into the explosion, which took place at a rear Tube carriage at roughly 8.20am.

Pictures posted on social media appeared to show wires protruding from a flaming bucket inside a plastic carrier bag on the floor of a carriage.

Mark Rowley, assistant commissioner for specialist operations for the Met Police, told reporters outside Scotland Yard most of the victims are suffering from “flash burns”.

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