The leader of Wandsworth Council has written to his counterpart in Manchester City Council to express his condolences and support following the terror attack that has claimed at least 22 lives.

A suicide bomber killed at least 22 people, including children, and wounded 59 at a pop concert by US singer Ariana Grande in Manchester Arena last night.

The Mayor of Wandsworth wrote his counterpart in Manchester today expressing his “condolences and support” and in his letter to Sir Richard Leese, Ravi Govindia said he wanted to “echo” those sentiments.

He said: “I too wanted to reach out to you personally in my capacity as leader of the council to echo that support for you and the city you lead because I know how passionate you are about Manchester and how deeply you yourself will be affected and hurt by this tragedy.”

He spoke about the “deep shock” the nation, and the world, is in after the events in Manchester and urged that “we all stand together in defiance of those who seek to divide us”.

Councillor Govindia added: “We know that the city and people of Manchester have great spirit and inner strength- it has of course been tested before- but I am sure that you and all those who live in your great city will rise to the challenge and ensure that Manchester remains a beacon of peace, tolerance, understanding and brotherhood that is an example to the whole world.”