Parties in Northern Ireland have also suspended campaigning as a mark of respect for the victims of the London terrorist attack.

The Alliance Party put campaigning on hold for 24 hours, while the Ulster Unionists have suspended it "until further notice". Sinn Fein cancelled election activity for Sunday, except for local canvassing.

Full campaigning is likely to resume on Monday, when broadcaster UTV will screen the first major debate between party leaders. It had previously been postponed following the Manchester attack.

In Wales, Plaid Cymru has also suspended its campaign.

A prominent Muslim lawyer has called UK authorities "lazy" in their efforts to communicate with community leaders and tackle extremism.

Nazir Afzal, who is the former chief crown prosecutor, told BBC Radio 5's Pienaar's Politics that the government must do more, especially when it comes to reaching out to young Muslim women, which he believes will help connect with these groups.

"We've got to turn away those people who are [community leaders] for all sorts of wrong reasons - ego, kudos, just because they're there in the right place," he said.

"I think the state and the authorities are lazy here - they go to the usual suspects.

"They should be talking to young people, young women invariably, in order to get them to understand and learn from them what it is that needs to be done, rather than simply impose it."

The PM has said big internet companies are allowing "safe spaces" for extremism online. Here is how the biggest network has responded:

BBC correspondent Tim Willcox says that six of the injured people admitted to London hospitals following the attack have been discharged from hospital.

A total of 48 people were admitted to five hospitals, including four police officers.

Ireland's president has sent his sympathies to the families of those killed in the attack on London Bridge last night.

Michael D Higgins said this latest attack will be condemned "by all those who believe in the rights of our public to live their lives in the public space".

Fianna Fail Leader, Micheal Martin, said: "(Saturday) night's attack will, I have no doubt, bring Londoners of all creeds, races, and ethnicities, even more together and will make the city even stronger."

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams TD also condemned the attack, offering condolences to the victims and the families of those killed and injured, as well as the people of London.

BBC Monitoring
News from around the globe

In a Facebook post, the Head of the Russian parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee blamed UK foreign policy for recent terrorist attacks.

"For the third time in recent months, Britain has become the target of terrorists, and this is no longer just a coincidence," Konstantin Kosachyov said (in Russian, external).

"They are hitting a country whose politics has for a long time been the most active in the region where terrorism took root, politics that many people from that region consider hostile and aggressive, worthy of retribution."

A British Transport Police officer stabbed during last night's attack faced off with the attackers armed only with his baton, according to the force.

The officer was one of the first responders in London Bridge and has been working in his role for less than two years.

He is in a stable condition, but has suffered face, head and leg injuries

BTP chief constable Paul Crowther visited the him in hospital and said the officer showed "enormous courage in the face of danger".

He added: "For an officer who only joined us less than two years ago, the bravery he showed was outstanding and makes me extremely proud.

"All of us at BTP wish him a swift recovery, and I know he will be touched by the hundreds of messages of support from across the UK and the world.

"Our thoughts are with all of those who died or were injured, and their loved ones as they try to come to terms with what happened."

Richard Angell, a witness to the Borough Market attack who the BBC interviewed earlier, has told Buzzfeed News he returned to the restaurant he was at last night - to pay his bill.

"I've got to pay my bill," he said. "Also, we haven't given the staff a tip and they looked out for us when they should have been helping themselves."

Image source, PA

The BBC understands that one of the attackers shot by police last night lived at an address in Barking, which has been the subject of intense police activity today.

The dead attacker was, according to neighbours, a married man with two children who had had lived at the address for around 3 years.

A total of 12 people were arrested during the raids in Barking.

Nicola Sturgeon has said that people who carry out terrorist attacks in the name of Islam "do not speak for that faith".

Scotland's first minister and leader of the SNP said their their actions were a "perversion of Islam".

She added: "It is important to remember that terrorists kill indiscriminately. They do not distinguish their victims on the basis of faith or race.

"A Muslim in this country is far, far more likely to be a victim of a terrorist attack than a perpetrator of one.

"We must never forget that and we must not allow ourselves to be divided, community against community."

The editor of the Sunday Express has praised one of his staff that was injured during last night's attack.

Martin Townsend said Geoff Ho is "an absolutely first class reporter and a fine and decent man".

He added: "Our thoughts are with him and his family at this time. We are all hoping and praying for a speedy recovery."

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry has criticised Theresa May for announcing a four-point plan to tackle terrorism immediately after the attack.

She told BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend that she didn't think it was right to get "dragged into plans at this stage" and that is was a "matter of timing".

Asked if the announcement strayed into party politics, she said: "I think that it is drawing us into a debate. I think that there is time enough for us to discuss this issues.

"To come out onto the steps of 10 Downing Street, immediately in the aftermath of a terrible outrage like this, was not something that would be expected.

"I just simply regret the approach that she has taken."

Colin Paterson
Entertainment Correspondent, BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Radio 5 Live's entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson is outside Old Trafford where fans are queuing for the One Love Manchester concert.

He said there has been a notable increase in security, with a "ring of steel" built around the venue, police officers brought in from all over the country, and armed police at road junctions and gates.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that she learned with "sadness and dismay" of yesterday's attack in London Bridge.

She said: "Today, we are united beyond all borders in horror and sorrow, but also in determination.

"In the fight against every form of terrorism, we stand firmly and with determination at Britain's side."

Richard Angell said he was in a restaurant in Borough Market when he was told to "duck and cover".

Image source, PA

Londoners are offering shelter and comfort to those affected by the terror attack on the capital by sharing the hashtag #SofaForLondon on social media.

Taxi drivers provided free rides from the cordons around London Bridge and Borough Market.

Places of worship joined pubs, hotels and businesses in providing food and shelter.

Strangers reached out on social media offering a cup of tea, chat or spare bed for the night.

Image source, Reuters

Pope Francis has called on Catholics around the world to pray for London.

Speaking on the weekend of Pentecost in St Peter's Square, with an audience of 60,000 people, he said: "The Holy Spirit may support the mission of the Church in the entire world and give strength to all missionaries of the Gospel.

"May the Spirit give peace to the entire world; heal the plagues of war and of terrorism, that even [on Saturday], in London, hit innocent civilians; let's pray for the victims and for their families."