Charles pays respects at Finsbury Park

HAVING BEEN to the House of Lords to open Parliament in the morning, the Prince of Wales visited Finsbury Park in the afternoon to meet people who had been present during Monday night’s attack and to visit the area – over 30 years since he had last been in this part of North London.

Prince Charles told locals he was pleased to be visiting them, though obviously very saddened by the circumstances of the visit. It is thought that the Queen had chosen to go on to the horse racing at Royal Ascot after opening Parliament – leaving her oldest son to deliver her best wishes.

“The Queen has specifically asked me to tell you how shocked she was by what happened, particularly as the victims were worshippers who had been attending Ramadan prayers.” Prince Chares told a crowd at the Muslim Welfare House, adding, “Her Majesty’s thoughts and prayers are with you all.”

Charles met the imam who had stepped in to ensure the suspect was held securely but safely after the attack and told him that he was “deeply impressed” by his actions, which showed that he was a “wonderful leader”.

•As the Prince of Wales visited Finsbury Park, the police have confirmed that their investigations are continuing and that they will continue to support the families of those affected by the attack as much as possible.

The police have been granted extra time by the Court to hold Darren Osborne in custody while their inquiries continue. He was arrested on suspicion of various terrorist crimes as well as murder and attempted murder. Osborne’s relatives have been making statements to the press indicating how shocked they are that he has been involved in this devastating attack. They imply that Osborne has been unstable for some time.

A post mortem has been carried out on the body of Mr Makram Ali, who collapsed and later died at the scene of the attack. No statement on the cause of death has yet been announced and it is still not clear whether he died as a result of whatever made him collapse, or as a result of the terrorist attack – or both.

•Read more about it:
Finsbury terror: stop the circle of terror
Finsbury Park: it’s one dead, 8 in hospital
Muslims run over as they return from prayer

[Adverts]