U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson apologized Friday for the leaking of information to the media on the police investigation into the Manchester bombings. The leaks briefly caused British intelligence services to stop sharing information with U.S. intelligence services Thursday.
“We take full responsibility for that and we obviously regret that that happened,” Tillerson said in a London press conference with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson Friday.
"With respect to the release of information inappropriately,” he said, “certainly we condemn that."
British investigators became angry when the name of the attacker, Salman Abedi, was published by U.S. press before British authorities released his identity. The New York Times also published photos from the scene of the attack, including one of the bomb’s detonator.
“The President has been very strong in his condemnation and has called for an immediate investigation and prosecution of those who are found to have been responsible for leaking any of this information to the public,” he added.
Trump condemned the leaks Thursday saying in a statement, "I am asking the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies to launch a complete review of this matter, and if appropriate, the culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
British intelligence resumed sharing information about the attack after Trump’s assurances Thursday.
Tillerson said that “in terms of how to fix the relationship between the US and Great Britain this special relationship between our two countries will certainly withstand this particular unfortunate event.”
Tillerson, said that "all across America, hearts are broken" over the attack. He signed a condolence book at the London embassy for the victims of the attack and is expected to visit Manchester.
Secretary Tillerson joins Foreign Secretary @BorisJohnson to sign a condolence book for the victims of the #Manchester attack. pic.twitter.com/tKTMtaiUJ7
— U.S. Embassy London (@USAinUK) May 26, 2017