Murdered Lee Rigby’s family appeal for calm
Plea for restraint as protests planned today for London and Edinburgh
THE family of slain soldier Lee Rigby have appealed for calm, as extreme right-wing groups plan protests in Edinburgh and London today in response to his killing. In an emotional plea, they said he would not have wanted his death to trigger reprisal attacks.
Yesterday, an inquest opened into the death of the young soldier and heard he had to be identified from dental records after being hacked to death yards from his barracks in London.
In a statement released through the Ministry of Defence, the family said: “We would not wish any other families to go through this harrowing experience and appeal to everyone to keep calm and show their respect in a peaceful manner.
“We would like to emphasise that Lee would not want people to use his name as an excuse to carry out attacks against others.”
His friends’ different cultures and religions “made no difference to Lee”, the family said.
Meanwhile, the Queen “privately acknowledged” the soldier’s death when she met military personnel who served with Drummer Rigby at Woolwich barracks.
And religious leaders from a variety of faiths gathered to lay a floral tribute at the barracks. Representatives of Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Jewish communities placed flowers arranged to spell the word “Peace” among the thousands of bouquets, cards, poems and candles left in memory of the soldier.
The far-right Scottish Defence League has said it will gather outside the Scottish Parliament today to “remember” Drummer Rigby. Its plan has been criticised by anti-racism campaigners who are expected to hold a counter-protest. The
British National Party also plans to hold a demonstration today, in central London. It had wanted to hold a rally in Woolwich, but police stepped in to prevent this to avoid inflaming “current community tensions”.
The inquest at Southwark Crown Court heard Drummer Rigby, 25, had been returning to the barracks after a day working at the Tower of London when he was hit by a car and then attacked with a knife and a cleaver.
His body was dragged into the middle of the road and his killers accosted horrified passers-by and encouraged them to look at the mutilated corpse.
Detective Chief Inspector Grant Mallon, of Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism unit, who is leading the investigation, told the inquest: “On Wednesday, 22 May, at 2:20pm, Lee was returning to barracks after a day working at the Tower of London.
“He was walking in Artillery Place, a vehicle is seen to swerve into the carriageway where he is walking and strike him. The two occupants of the vehicle mentioned attacked him with a cleaver and a knife. This resulted in extensive and serious injuries.
“Immediately after the initial attack, his apparently lifeless body is moved from the side to the centre of the road where it is left while the two attackers remained at the scene and engaged with the public as they walk by and encouraged them to look at what had happened.
“Those two attackers ran towards police who arrived on the scene. They are both incapacitated and detained.”
Drummer Rigby, who had a two-year-old son and was engaged to be married, died from multiple stab wounds.
Tracey Norris, the coroner’s clerk, said he had been identified by his dental records.
She said: “He was an army drummer and Royal Fusilier. Lee died on 22 May and he died in John Wilson Street at the junction of Artillery Place. Lee James
“He had many friends – some with different religious beliefs”
Statement by soldier’s family
Rigby was identified by an odontologist.”
The two suspects were shot by police and taken to hospital. One, Michael Adebowale, 22, was charged with murder after his release from hospital this week. He appeared before Westminster magistrates on Thursday. The other, Michael Adebolajo, 28, was discharged from hospital yesterday and taken into custody at a London police station.
Drummer Rigby’s family were not at the 15-minute hearing into his death. There was a heavy security presence inside and outside the court amid fears it could be targeted by protesters. The inquest was adjourned until a date to be confirmed.
The statement on behalf of his family, including mother and stepfather Lyn and Ian, wife Rebecca and son Jack, said his death had had a devastating effect on them but that the global support they received had been “truly staggering” and was giv- ing them the strength to carry on. They said they were “deeply touched” after visiting Woolwich and thanked those who had given them time and space to pay their own tributes.
Hundreds of flowers have been tied to the railings near the barracks. Drummer Rigby’s family said: “We all loved Lee deeply and we know that he loved us – we all miss him so much.
“He was a fun-loving, approachable young man with a smile that always managed to light up a room. We have heard so many stories about him from so many people and they have brought us great comfort.
“Lee loved life and he loved people. He had many friends from different walks of life – some with different religious beliefs and cultures. But this made no difference to Lee. He always treated others with the greatest of respect.
“Finally, once again, we would like to thank everyone for their support. It has been very much