Manchester bomber travelled to Syria and had ‘proven links’ to ISIS

The Manchester bomber Salman Abedi is believed to have travelled to Syria and had “proven” links with Islamic State, France’s interior minister has said.

Gerard Collomb told French television that both British and French intelligence services had information that Abedi had been in Syria.

The disclosure came as Home Secretary Amber Rudd confirmed the UK security services had been aware of the British-born 22-year-old.

“We do know that he was known up to a point to the intelligence services,” she told Sky News.

“I am sure that we will get more information about him over the next few days and the next few weeks.”