Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Family of London Bridge attacker 'totally condemn' his actions

The family of London Bridge attacker has released a statement expressing shock and sadness at the atrocity and said they "totally condemn" his actions.

It read: "We are saddened and shocked by what Usman has done. We totally condemn his actions and we wish to express our condolences to the families of the victims that have died and wish a speedy recovery to all of the injured.


"We would like to request privacy for our family at this difficult time."

Two people -- Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were killed in the attack on Friday.

Khan was known to authorities before Friday's attack, which injured three others.

The 28-year-old was arrested in December and sentenced in 2012 to indeterminate detention for "public protection" with a minimum jail term of eight years after pleading guilty to preparing terrorist acts.

He was released in December 2018 and had been living in Stafford.

Khan was on licence and wearing an electronic monitoring tag when he launched the attack after he was invited to the prisoner rehabilitation conference on Friday afternoon.

The recent attack has sparked a political row over the release of Khan, and a debate on the current criminal justice system.

Prime minister Boris Johnson was accused of trying to exploit Friday's attack "for political gain" after he blamed Khan's release on legislation introduced under "a leftie government."

However, he denied these claims, saying he had campaigned against early release for some time.

"Look at my 2012 manifesto on crime ... I've campaigned for a long time for longer sentences for serious and violent offenders," he said. "What I'm saying is our job is to keep the public safe and that's what we want to do," the prime minister added.

More For You

asylum seekers

Members of the public in the council meeting hold up signs during Cllr Amos's questions

Via LDRS

Worcester asylum seekers fleeing death penalty and religious persecution, charity reveals

Phil Wilkinson Jones

Highlights

  • Young men at Worcester hotel fled countries like Iran and Nigeria where homosexuality carries death penalty.
  • Summer protests outside Fownes Hotel left asylum seekers feeling "very vulnerable".
  • Charity challenges "harmful rhetoric" of labelling asylum seekers as "illegal immigrants".
Asylum seekers staying at a Worcester hotel are fleeing religious persecution and the death penalty for being gay in their home countries, a local charity has revealed.
Simon Cottingham, co-founder of Worcester City Welcomes Refugees, made the disclosure at Worcester City Council's full meeting on Tuesday.

Speaking about residents at the city's asylum seeker accommodation, Mr Cottingham said "A lot of young men who are in that hotel actually are fleeing because they are gay."

He explained that in countries like Iran and Nigeria, individuals face the death penalty for homosexuality, while others are persecuted for converting to Christianity or their political beliefs.

Keep ReadingShow less