Leaders have been reacting to the announcement that the fifth victim in the Westminster terror attack was a Lambeth man.
Condolences have been pouring in for 75-year-old Leslie Rhodes — he died in King’s College Hospital the day after he was hit by the car driven by attacker Khalid Masood on Westminster Bridge.
Friends and neighbours of Mr Rhodes, a retired window cleaner living in Clapham Common, described him as a kind man who would do anything for anyone.
He was attending an appointment at St. Thomas’ Hospital at the end of Westminster Bridge, where he was struck down by the lone-wolf attacker Khalid Masood gaining head and stomach injuries.
A decision was taken to turn off his life support on Thursday evening.
Streatham MP Chuka Umunna sent condolences to Mr Rhodes’s loved ones over Twitter.
2/2 The thoughts and prayers of all our community are with Mr Rhodes’ family and friends – we can only imagine what they are going through
— Chuka Umunna (@ChukaUmunna) March 24, 2017
Wandsworth and Merton councils lowered their flags out of respect for the victims yesterday and Lambeth issued a joint statement with community groups on Wednesday following the shocking events.
The statement said: “Today was an attack on our democracy, but together we will not let the terrorists use fear to divide us nor will we let them succeed.
“We ask everyone to stand united against those who seek to sow fear and hatred among us.”
Police in Lambeth have also thanked people for the support they’ve received on the streets , with people approaching officers to give them their sympathies.
A crowdfunding page set up by the Metropolitan Police Federation has raised more than £500,000 to give to the family of PC Keith Palmer who was stabbed to death outside of Parliament.
Morden-based Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association has condemned the ‘barbaric attacks’ that took place on Wednesday.
The Muslim community youth group said: “Our sympathies and prayers are with the people of London and all those affected.”
“Such attacks and violence against innocent people can never be justified under any circumstances.”
Featured image courtesy of Alex Green, with thanks
