HUSTINGS due to take place in Epping tonight have been cancelled in the wake of the Manchester attacks.

The candidates standing to be the next Epping Forest MP were due to go head-to-head at St John Baptist Church in Epping at 8pm.

But after 22 people were killed in a bomb blast during a suspected terror attack at Manchester arena during an Ariana Grande concert last night, campaigning has been suspended.

Eleanor Laing, Conservative candidate, said: “This atrocity is shocking. To kill innocent children with such violence is simply evil. Such disgusting terrorism will achieve nothing. These cowards seek to divide our community but they will not succeed because we are united against them.

“My heart goes out to all the families who are grieving for their loved ones. All our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Green party candidate, Simon Heap, condemned the attack and said: “Well it is deeply distressing. I have family in Manchester and I have not heard if they are ok. It is deeply concerning and a daft thing to do.

“There is no evidence yet that it was an Islamic thing. It is just really distressing.”

Liam Preston, from the Labour Party, said: “I am devastated about the attacks last night. I lived in Manchester when I was younger. It is a tragedy.

“I have two young girls that are fans of Ariana Grande.

“My thoughts and prayers are with those who have family or who were at the atrocities. I hope everyone is able to move on from it.”

Tom Hall, of the Young People’s Party, said: “Obviously I woke up and saw the news and was really shocked that something so horrible could happen. My thoughts are with the victims families and those who lost their lives. I hope that further perpetrators are brought to justice. I hope that the government response is not further reduction of civil liberties. It is really awful, absolutely horrific.”

Patrick O’Flynn, the UKIP candidate for Epping Forest, said: “Well you know, I am respecting the calls to cease campaigning for the day. On a local level it is obviously disappointing.

“I think it is right that politicians pause campaigning for 24 hours. It is vital that politicians discuss these issues and do not just pray for the victims. It is the duty of politicians to come up with solutions to protect the public and our way of life.

“It is not enough for politicians to say ‘lets carry on as normal’.”

The Guardian Series has contacted the candidates for comment.