Ukip to launch manifesto after campaigning paused due to Manchester bombing

Ukip are stealing a march on their General Election rivals by resuming national campaigning a day ahead of the other main parties following the pause due to the Manchester bombing.

Leader Paul Nuttall will launch Ukip's manifesto at a Westminster press conference shortly before a national minute's silence in honour of those killed, injured or bereaved in the atrocity.

Other parties will go back to local door-knocking and leaflet-posting following the silence on Thursday, but will wait until Friday to resume their national campaigns.

Explaining his decision to lead the way back to campaigning, Mr Nuttall said: "It is right and proper that political parties suspended their campaigns for a short period as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives or suffered appalling injuries.

"But we cannot be cowed or allow our way of life to be undermined by those who wish to do us harm. These people hate the way we live, hate our freedom and hate our democracy.

"The best response we can make is to ensure that the democratic process continues."

Announcing that he would return to his battle bus tour on Friday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "The British people are united in their resolve that terror will not prevail. It will not prevent us going about our daily lives or derail our democratic process.

"Resuming democratic debate and campaigning is an essential mark of the country's determination to defend our democracy and the unity that the terrorists have sought to attack."

A Conservative spokesman said: "The Conservative Party will resume local campaigning for the General Election at noon tomorrow, after the minute's silence to remember all those who lost their lives and others who were affected by the callous attack on innocent life in Manchester.

"National campaigning will resume on Friday."

And a Liberal Democrat spokesman said: "In line with Labour and the Conservatives, we intend to resume national campaigning on Friday with local campaigning resuming tomorrow."

The Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and Greens confirmed that they too would wait to restart their national campaign until Friday, 13 days before the June 8 election.