Suspect in Lee Rigby murder taken into custody

Scotland Yard said that a 22-year-old man, understood to be Michael Adebowale, from Greenwich, south east London, was taken into custody at a south London police station after being discharged this afternoon. He was further arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of a police officer.

He will be interviewed by detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service counter terrorism command.

It is the first time that police have been able to speak with either of the two suspects arrested on suspicion of Drummer Rigby’s murder on 22 May.

Michael Adebowale and Michael Adebolajo, 28, have been recovering in hospital after they were both shot by armed police in the immediate aftermath of Drummer Rigby’s murder last Wednesday.

Family horror

This afternoon, Michael Adebolajo’s family issued a statement of condolence to the soldier’s family, expressing horror at what had happened.

The statement said: “Nothing we say can undo the events of last week. However, as a family, we wish to share with others our horror at the senseless killing of Lee Rigby and express our profound shame and distress that this has brought on our family.

We believe there is no place for violence in the name of religion or politics. Family of Michael Adebolajo

“We send our heartfelt condolence to Lee Rigby’s family and loved ones. We wish to state openly that we believe that there is no place for violence in the name of religion or politics. We believe all right thinking members of society share this view wherever they were born and whatever their religion and political beliefs.”

The statement added: “We wholeheartedly condemn all those who engage in acts of terror and fully reject any suggestion by them that religion or politics can justify this kind of violence.

“We unreservedly put out faith in the rule of law and with others fully expect that all the perpetrators will be brought to justice under the law of the land.

“And we pray for Lee Rigby’s soul to rest in peace, for the Lord to comfort his parents and loved ones and provide all of us affected the strength and fortitude to cope with this tragedy.”

‘Kenya torture’

So far, 10 people have been arrested over the murder of the 25-year-old soldier in Woolwich. The latest arrest was on Monday, when police detained a 50-year-old man in Welling, south east London, on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. He remains in custody.

Five men have been released on police bail, and two women were released without charge.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting of the men by police.

Speaking on Channel 4 News, Home Affairs Correspondent Simon Israel told Krishnan Guru-Murthy (see video above) he had obtained a letter, via the Cage Prisoners human rights group, by Abu Nusaybah, arrested last week by counter-terrorism officers after an interview he gave to the BBC’s Richard Watson in the wake of Drummer Lee Rigby’s murder.

The letter, written through Abu Nusaybah’s lawyer, repeats the claims he made last week alleging that Michael Adebolajo, one of the two Woolwich suspects, was tortured in Kenya and has been harassed by the security services.