Trump courts controversy

U.S. President Donald Trump waded into controversy for yet another time following the terrorist attack in Britain as he appeared to suggest that the person suspected of carrying out the attack was known to police — before British police had confirmed this was the case — and that the Internet should be “cut off”.

“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!,” he tweeted, adding that “loser terrorists” ought to be dealt with in a much “tougher manner.”

“The Internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!”

‘A live case’

The Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command, which is leading the investigation, made it clear that it remained a live case in its early stages, and that hundreds of officers were going through information. They are yet to confirm if suspects were known to them or to security services.

Mr. Trump triggered anger in Britain earlier this year after he criticised London Mayor Sadiq Khan following the June attack on London Bridge for urging people to remain calm. There was also a separate controversy following the attack on the Arianna Grande concert in Manchester when sensitive details were released to the U.S. media.

The incident heightened calls for Mr. Trump’s planned state visit to London to be cancelled. Even Prime Minister Theresa May eventually admitted, in an interview with Sky News, that Mr. Trump’s comments about Mr. Khan were “wrong”.