‘It has been a difficult few days’
AN EMERGENCY debate into the Reading Terrorist Attack saw Reading East MP Matt Rodda praise the work of the emergency services while sharing his sorrow at the tragic events.
Visibly shaken, he began his speech onMonday in the House of Commons by saying “it has been a very difficult few days”.
The Reading East MP said: “I wish to thank the Home Secretary formeetingme today. I verymuch thought that the tone of our discussion was helpful and positive. I look forward to working with her and I appreciate her offer of support for Reading.
“Like many other people, I was shocked and deeply upset by the dreadful attack in Forbury Gardens. I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the three people who died — my thoughts are with them.
“It is impossible to imaginewhat they are going through at this time, and I am sure all our hearts go out to them.
“I am also thinking about the injured and their loved ones, and all those who have been affected by this dreadful attack, which, I should emphasise to people, took place in a park when people were trying to enjoy a peaceful weekend.
“Most of all, I would like to thank the emergency services and the police for their swift and immediate response, and indeed for the incredible bravery shown by the officers who, as was said earlier, rugby-tackled an armed offender and took that person to the ground.
“Reading is a friendly and peaceful townwith a diverse and tolerant community. This kind of incident is completely unknown to us.
“It is something that has never occurred before in our community and as such is deeply upsetting.
“That community solidarity was demonstrated again today, when a wide range of different faith and community groups came together to lay flowers at the scene of the dreadful incident.
“Local people also observed a minute’s silence. “I am very proud of the way in which our community is pulling together at this difficult time and the way in which local people have been supporting one another.
“We can andwewill come through this difficult time.”
And Bracknell MP James Sunderland also took part in the debate.
“As a Berkshire MP, I place on record my personal sympathies to all those affected so gravely in neighbouring Reading,” he said.
“In the past 24 hours we have seen media speculation about the immigration status of the alleged perpetrator.
“Will the Home Secretary please reassure me that it remains her priority to return people who come to the UK and are proven to commit crime?”
In reply, Ms Patel said: “I will not get into any speculation or commentary, but I could not be any clearer about the Government’s position on foreign national offenders.
“Our policy is as stated: wewill do everything in our power to remove those who abuse our hospitality and commit crimes in the UK.”
She also pledged to speed up this process.