Love From Manchester: RAF 'Present' For Islamic State

An image has emerged of an RAF bomb bearing the message "love from Manchester", after the suicide bombing at a concert in the city.

22 innocent people were killed after in the terrorist atrocity, including seven children under the age of 18 and off-duty police officer Elaine McIver.

There had been accusations that the photograph, which has been widely shared on social media, was a fake, but the RAF has now confirmed to Forces News that this is not the case. A spokesperson said:

"The RAF can confirm the photo was genuine."

It is not known who wrote the message, which was written on a Paveway IV bomb carried by a British jet carrying out airstrikes from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

The spokesperson added that any potential punishment is an internal matter for the RAF, and that no further comment would be offered.

The Telegraph newspaper quoted an RAF source, however, as saying:

"The sentiment of the message written on the weapon is understandable and such writing has history in the RAF, so the individual concerned will not be taken to task."