Woolwich attack: Dales MP sends his sympathy to victim’s family

Mr McLoughlin condemned yesterdays attack – where a serving British soldier was killed in a machete attack – as “appalling” and “concerning”.

He said: “This is a very serious and concerning incident and I send my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the man who was killed.

“What is important now is for us to get a clear understanding of the meaning of this appalling attack was and whether it was a one-off or more serious.”

At 2.20pm yesterday afternoon a serviceman, wearing a Help for Heroes top, was run down by a car before being brutally attacked in Woolwich, just 200 yards from the barracks.

In broad daylight, an attacker and an accomplice repeatedly stabbed and tried to behead the man in front of dozens of passers-by before ranting to witnesses with camera phones.

The two men in their 20s, waited calmly for armed police to arrive before charging at officers brandishing a rusty revolver, knives and meat cleavers.

When the old pistol was shot towards police it backfired and blew the thumb off one of the men.

Moments later they were cut down in a hail of bullets believed to be fired by a woman marksman. The men are being treated in hospital for their wounds and will face questioning.