Britain fell silent this morning as a minute’s silence was held across the country to remember the 22 victims of Monday’s concert bombing.
The silence, which fell at 11am, also marked the nation’s solidarity with the 119 who were injured in the blast at the Manchester Arena following a concert, as well as others affected by the atrocity.
Crowds gathered at well-known sites in the UK, including London’s Parliament and Trafalgar Square.
In Manchester thousands of residents gathered at St Ann’s Square to honour the victims of the terror attack.
Lord Mayor of Manchester Eddy Newman, council leader Sir Richard Leese, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Warren Smith all attended the memorial event, along with members of the public and Mancunian former boxer Ricky Hatton.
Hundreds of people gathered outside Greater Manchester Police headquarters for the minute of silence, with crowds pouring out of nearby buildings to join the officers.
Other police forces across the country joined in the act of remembrance, with a show of solidarity also taking place at Scotland Yard. Court proceedings were paused at London’s Southwark Crown Court.
Judges, jurors, lawyers and defendants in the dock all stood in silence as a mark respect.
Manchester’s most famous sportsman, Ricky Hatton, who was at the event, said it is one of the worst weeks in the city’s history and described the arena where the atrocity took place as his ‘second home’.
The former two-weight world boxing champion said he has had ‘many, many happy times’ at the Manchester Arena, where 22 people were killed and dozens more injured.
Hatton told the Press Association: ‘My heart goes out to all the families and everyone that is connected. I’m a very proud Mancunian, but it’s absolutely heartwarming to see how Manchester has all rallied together.
‘And that’s what Manchester people are. We’re a working class city aren’t we? We’re working class people.’
Hatton added: ‘You never expect it to be on your doorstep … Manchester Arena is like my second home. I must have had about 20 fights there over the years. I go there regularly to concerts.’
He said his ex-girlfriend was at the arena the night before, adding: ‘And just within the space of 24 hours, my kids could have lost their mum. It’s just a tragedy. And it’s nice to see the city all rallying together and staying strong at such a tragic moment.’
Hatton said Manchester is ‘the greatest city in the world’ and will always be close to his heart.
He said it is ‘really one of the worst weeks, if not the worst week’ in Manchester history as he laid a floral wreath in the city centre.
People across the nation will take part in the silence in memory of the victims of the atrocity.
The square has become a focal point since Monday’s tragedy unfolded, with scores of floral tributes, messages and signs filling the area. People have flocked to it to pay their respects.
A mass vigil was held in Albert Square on Tuesday as the city came together to support the families of those killed and injured.
Flags will remain at half-mast on government buildings until this evening, said a statement released jointly by 10 Downing Street, the Foreign Office and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Read more here: Country remembers victims of the Manchester terror bombing | Daily Mail Online
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