Messages and statements following attack in Manchester
Update 11:30am:
Joint Group Leaders’ statement
“Birmingham stands firm with our friends in Manchester today.
“Our thoughts and our prayers are with the victims, their families and everyone affected by a barbaric act of terror.
“This is a dark day but we know that our towns and cities will not be beaten by terror. People will respond as they did in Manchester last night with kindness, bravery and a resolve not to be cowed into submission.
“The normal business of Full Council will continue here in Birmingham today and Cllr Anne Underwood will be installed as the city’s new Lord Mayor. Understandably Cllr Underwood feels it would be inappropriate to continue with the planned civic dinner this evening and has decided to postpone the event. We fully support her decision. However we will re-schedule the event for a later date.
“Today though we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Manchester.”
Cllr John Clancy, Leader of the Labour Group
Cllr Robert Alden, Leader of the Conservative Group
Cllr Jon Hunt, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group
The Library of Birmingham will be lit up in red, white and blue tonight as a mark of respect.
Update 10.50am:
Joint statement from outgoing Lord Mayor Cllr Carl Rice and Lord Mayor Elect Cllr Anne Underwood
“After the awful events of last night in Manchester and as a mark of respect for the families who have lost loved ones or have injured loved ones we have decided to postpone this evening’s civic dinner following the Council AGM. Birmingham stands by our sister city in this time of sadness and are sending our condolences to all of those who have been affected. We will hold a minute’s silence at the start of Full Council later and will both be thinking of everyone involved.”
Initial message from the Lord Mayor at 7.30am following last night’s attack in Manchester:
“It is with profound sorrow that I offer condolences on behalf of the City and people of Birmingham following last night’s atrocity at Manchester’s MEN Arena. We stand strong alongside the people of Manchester as they mourn in the face of this horrific attack and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”
The flag will be lowered to half-mast today and we will await DCLG instructions in relation to a national observing of a minutes silence.
Ends
