The Speaker of the House of Keys, Juan Watterson, has written to the Mayor of Manchester after last night’s atrocity in the city.

His letter to Andy Burnham reads:

’On behalf of the Members of Tynwald, I wanted to write and express our condolences at the horrendous attack in Manchester last night. 

’The victims, and those involved in the emergency response were remembered with a short period of silence in today’s sittings of the House of Keys and Legislative Council.

’From a personal perspective, my first experience of Greater Manchester Police was the enormous and heartfelt response to the death of my friend and GMP officer PC Fiona Bone, who was killed on duty in 2012. 

’I know that GMP and the people of Manchester will rally in the light of this attack and will pull together to ensure that terrorists don’t win.

’Let me assure you that the people of the Isle of Man stand shoulder to shoulder with you in this fight, and that at this time our thoughts and prayers are with you and the people of Manchester.’

Juan Watterson SHK

The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for the Manchester suicide bombing which killed 22 victims, including an eight-year-old girl, in the worst terrorist incident to hit Britain since the July 7 attacks on London in 2005.

A lone bomber detonated a homemade device packed with nuts and bolts in the foyer of the Manchester Arena as thousands of young people were leaving a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande on Monday night.