Woolwich terror killing: PM says 'something like this will only bring us together and make us stronger'

Prime Minister David Cameron has given a statement today (23 May) about the violent killing of a young soldier in Woolwich which he said "has sickened us all".

The soldier has been named by the Ministry of Defence as 25-year-old Drummer Lee Rigby of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers - a father of a two-year-old son, Jack.

Earlier, the Prime Minister paid tribute to "a brave soldier" and said "today our thoughts are with the victim and with his family."

Mr Cameron chaired a meeting of the government's emergency response committee COBRA, this morning. It is believed that security has been stepped up in military bases around London.

The government and police are treating the killing as a terrorist incident.

Meanwhile news sources report that one of the suspects is understood to be a 28-year-old Muslim convert called Michael Adebolajo and that both suspects were known to the security services.

One of the men appears on a mobile phone video recorded by a passer-by in the aftermath of the attack. In it he is seen holding a machete with bloodied hands. Speaking to the camera, he says: "We swear by almighty Allah we will never stop fighting you."

He adds: "I apologise that women have had to witness this today, but in our land our women have to see the same.

"You people will never be safe. Remove your government, they don't care about you."

Both suspects remain in hospital under police arrest. One is believed to be seriously injured.

PM's statement

In his statement, a transcript of which can be found on the government's website, the Prime Minister spoke of his gratitude and admiration for the police and security services. He also underlined his determination that terrorism would not be allowed to win:

"There are police investigations and security service operations underway – so obviously there is a limit on what I can say. But already a number of things are clear.

"First, this country will be absolutely resolute in its stand against violent extremism and terror. We will never give in to terror – or terrorism - in any of its forms.

"Second, this view is shared by every community in our country. This was not just an attack on Britain – and on our British way of life. It was also a betrayal of Islam – and of the Muslim communities who give so much to our country.

"There is nothing in Islam that justifies this truly dreadful act. We will defeat violent extremism by standing together, by backing our police and security services and above all by challenging the poisonous narrative of extremism on which this violence feeds.

"Britain works with our international partners to make the world safe from terrorism. Terrorism that has taken more Muslim lives than any other religion. It is an utter perversion of the truth to pretend anything different. That is why there is absolutely no justification for these acts and the fault for them lies solely and purely with the sickening individuals who carried out this appalling attack.

"Confronting extremism is a job for us all. And the fact that our communities will unite in doing this was vividly demonstrated by the brave cub pack leader - Ingrid Loyau-Kennett - who confronted one of the attackers on the streets of Woolwich yesterday afternoon.

"When told by the attacker that he wanted to start a war in London, she replied: “You’re going to lose. It’s only you versus many.”

"She spoke for us all."

Mr Cameron has been meeting with community leaders in Woolwich. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson visited the scene of the killing. He said:

"Plainly this was a horrific incident. Everything that I have seen and heard this morning leads me to conclude two things: that those guilty will be brought speedily to justice and second, I have no doubt that Londoners can go about their lives in the normal way today."

Police searches

Police report that officers raided a flat in Greenwich believed to belong to one of the attackers. Neighbours said two sisters in their 30s, an older woman and a teenage boy were taken away in a police van.

It is understood that an address in Saxilby, Lincolnshire, is also being searched in connection with the attack.

PM calls for normality

David Cameron concluded his statement by saying: "...one of the best ways of defeating terrorism is to go about our normal lives

"And that is what we shall all do."