Andy Burnham issues major terror warning and urges UK and US to stand together on 9/11 anniversary

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The Prime Minister drew parallels between the Islamist attacks in 2001 and the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017

Andy Burnham has issued a major terror warning and called for unity with the United States on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

The Prime Minister warned that terror "still knocks at the door of democracy" as the UK and US remember the devastating attack which killed nearly 3,000 people.

Reflecting on his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester, he recalled how the children of those killed in the 9/11 attacks offered support after the Manchester Arena suicide bombing which killed 22 people.

Meanwhile, Sir Tony Blair, Prime Minister at the time of the atrocity, said the anniversary was a time to "commemorate the unshakeable and essential bond" between the two countries.

The US Ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens, said after the attacks a "new chapter was added to the world's most historic partnership" as he dedicated a memorial stone to the victims of 9/11.

Twenty-five years ago today, Islamist terrorists from Al-Qaeda hijacked passenger planes and struck the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon outside Washington DC.

A fourth plane taken by the terrorists, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania after passengers fought back and prevented it from striking another target.

A total of 2,977 people - 67 of them Britons - were killed in the terror attack.

It also led to the deployment of British forces to to conflicts in both Afghanistan and Iraq, where hundreds of British troops gave their lives and thousands more were injured.

Mr Burnham said: "On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we remember the nearly 3,000 people who were killed, including 67 Britons.

"My thoughts are with all those who lost friends and family members that terrible day. Time may pass, but I know the grief is still felt just as deeply today.

"On this anniversary, we must remember that hatred and fear did not have the last word on 9/11.

"The terrorists sought to weaken and divide America, and everyone who believes in the values our countries share. But our response was clear: those who seek to destroy our way of life will never win."

He added: "I saw that same defiance in Greater Manchester. When I was mayor, Manchester was the victim of two horrific terrorist attacks.

"I will never forget the messages of support and friendship from people across America who knew better than anyone the suffering of our city.

"Some of the children of those killed in the 9/11 attacks wrote to the families of the people killed in Manchester, and they said this: we are you and you are us. We are one.

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"We will never forget these terrible events, but we refuse to be defined by them.

"Terror still knocks on the door of democracy, but the United Kingdom and the United States stand together in memory of those we lost, and in defence of the values we cherish.

Reflecting on the anniversary, Sir Tony said: "I will forever remember September 11, 2001, as a leader but also as a citizen.

"9/11 was the worst terrorist attack ever perpetrated, the greatest loss of life through an attack on American soil in the history of America and the largest death toll of any act of terrorism in respect of the British people.

"That day changed the world and 25 years on, changes the world even now.

"We remember those who lost their lives, 3,000 of them on that day. We remember their families. We recall the courage of the responders, many of whom also sacrificed themselves in that moment.

"And we remember the incredible fortitude of the people of New York and the other cities affected. And we recognise that, though thankfully such an attack has never been repeated in America, the struggle against terrorism in all its forms continues.

"We should all recommit ourselves to confront and defeat those who engage in such terrorism, and to pursue the cause of peaceful co-existence between people of all faiths, cultures and nations.

"Here in Britain, as we remember this day, we also commemorate the unshakeable and essential bond between our country and the United States of America."

Mr Stephens, speaking at a ceremony at the US embassy in London, said Britain "rallied to stand beside us in sympathy and solidarity" in the wake of the attack.

He added that intelligence communities began to work together "on a level unseen in international relations" in the wake of 9/11.

"That co-operation saved countless lives – and it continues to save lives today. We must always remember the painful lessons 9/11 taught us," he said.

"Because despite our disagreements and debates, the US-UK partnership has kept us safe for centuries: helping us overcome threats from Nazi tyranny to communist ideology to terrorist insurgency.

"In one of America's darkest hours, the UK – a nation attuned to grief and terror – rose as one to stand alongside their American brothers and sisters."