Man who murdered Lee Rigby ‘charismatic’

A Muslim extremist jailed for life after being convicted of the murder of soldier Lee Rigby is looked up to by fellow prisoners, a High Court judge has been told.

Michael Adebolajo was “charismatic” and intelligence suggested that he had helped convert other inmates to Islam, Mr Justice Langstaff heard.

Details of the influence Mr Adebolajo wielded in jail has emerged after he took legal action against the Ministry of Justice. Mr Adebolajo has claimed that he was injured by prison officers during an incident in a cell and wants compensation.

Justice Langstaff oversaw a preliminary hearing in the case at the High Court in London yesterday.

He said any trial was some distance off and also made an order barring prison officers involved from being identified.

Fusilier Rigby, 25, died after being attacked near Woolwich Barracks in south-east London in May 2013. He had been returning to barracks after working at the Tower of London.

Mr Adebolajo, who is in his early 30s, and Michael Adebowale, who is in his mid-20s, were convicted of murder following a trial at the Old Bailey.

The former was given a whole-life jail term, while Mr Adebowale was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 45 years.

Jurors heard they mowed down Fusilier Rigby in a car before hacking him to death.