A time for a strong leadership stand against terrorism

Like other members of our party in Northern Ireland, I was shocked and disgusted by this attack, aimed at people, many of them very young, who were enjoying a night out at a concert.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who were affected, their families and the emergency services.

The attackers clearly want to frighten people and the bomb was a direct assault on our way of life.

This is a time for leadership in the UK that stands strongly and unequivocally against terrorism of any kind.

Frank Shivers, Conservative Party spokesman for Northern Ireland