Sister of mosque van attack suspect ‘sorry’

Man arrested over Finsbury Park terror incident named as Darren Osborne

The sister of a man held by police over the Finsbury Park mosque attack has said she is “sorry for what’s happened”.

Speaking outside a house in Weston-Super-Mare, where family members of 47-year-old Darren Osborne gathered yesterday afternoon, his sister Nicola said: “I am very sorry for what’s happened.”

She and other family members said they would not be issuing further statements at this time.

Osborne, from Cardiff, was arrested after pedestrians were targeted by a man driving a van near Finsbury Park Mosque, north London early yesterday.

Witnesses described hearing the van driver, who was detained by members of the public at the scene, shout: “I’m going to kill Muslims.”

The man was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but Scotland Yard said he was later arrested for the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism including murder and attempted murder.

Residents near Cardiff said they were “shocked” after seeing photographs of their neighbour being arrested in London.

Police are searching a residential address in Pentwyn, where Osborne is listed as living, in connection with the attack.

Five residents identified images of the man being arrested as their neighbour, Osborne, who according to reports is originally from Somerset.

Police said the attack happened while a man, who later died, was receiving first aid after being taken ill in Seven Sisters Road.

It is not clear whether there is any link between his death and the attack.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: “This is being treated as a terrorist incident and is being investigated by the counter-terrorism command.

“The investigation is ongoing and we are working fast to know the full details of how and why this took place.

“All the victims were from the Muslim community and we will be deploying extra police patrols to reassure the public, especially those observing Ramadan.”

The attacker, who is believed to have acted alone, struck as the area was busy with worshippers attending Ramadan night prayers at the mosque.

Eight people were taken to hospital, with one since discharged, while two others were treated at the scene. All of the casualties were Muslims. Earlier, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said the incident was “quite clearly an attack on Muslims”.

Security minister Ben Wallace confirmed the suspect was not known to the security services.

Pictures: Getty Images/PA. Left: a police officer stands outside a property during a search of a house on Glyn Rhosyn, Pentwyn, which is believed to be the home of Darren Osborne. Right: a police officer and members of the public walk past flowers, close to Finsbury Park Mosque...