Joint Group Leaders' statement

“Birmingham stands firm with our friends in Manchester today.

Our thoughts and our prayers are with the victims, their families and everyone affected by a barbaric act of terror.

This is a dark day but we know that our towns and cities will not be beaten by terror. People will respond as they did in Manchester last night with kindness, bravery and a resolve not to be cowed into submission.

The normal business of Full Council will continue here in Birmingham today and Cllr Anne Underwood will be installed as the city's new Lord Mayor. Understandably Cllr Underwood feels it would be inappropriate to continue with the planned civic dinner this evening and has decided to postpone the event. We fully support her decision. However we will re-schedule the event for a later date.

Today though we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Manchester.”

Cllr John Clancy, Leader of the Labour Group

Cllr Robert Alden, Leader of the Conservative Group

Cllr Jon Hunt, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group