Indian-origin MPs, British leaders condemn UK terror attack

Two Indian-origin British MPs today condemned the "horrific and barbaric" attack here in which a British soldier was beheaded, calling for unity and appealing for calm.
Indian-origin MP and Chairman of the influential Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz hailed the spirit of London in the aftermath of yesterday's attack in Woolwich.
"I do want to pay tribute to them [members of the public] - I think what they have done is extraordinarily brave and courageous. It shows the spirit of London that people are just not prepared to allow an attack of this kind. I pay tribute to what they have done," he said, describing the attack as a "horrific and barbaric" crime.

Another Indian-origin MP (for Ealing Southall) Varinder Sharma, has condemned the anti-Islamic rhetoric which has surfaced following the attack.
"I am deeply saddened by the shocking attack in Woolwich yesterday. I wish to send my sympathies to the family of the victim who bravely served this country", Sharma said.
He said the attackers were not in any way representatives of the Islamic faith.

"These attackers are not in any way representative of the Islamic faith and it is wrong for anyone to engage in anti-Islamic rhetoric.
"The intent of this act was to stir up hatred and fear and it is distressing to see certain groups using this attack as an excuse to stigmatise and divide," he said, calling people to unite in "condemning this attack and any form of extremism".

London mayor Boris Johnson blamed the brutal attack by two Nigerian Muslim suspects as a result of the "warped mind-set" of the killers.
"One obvious point, it is completely wrong to blame this killing on Islam but also wrong to draw a link between this murder and British foreign policy.
"The fault lies with the warped mind-set of those who did it and for the sake of the victim and his family the killers need to be brought to justice," he said.
Ed Miliband, leader of main opposition Labour party, also spoke of the "appalling murder" that shocked the world.

"The Labour Party will offer the government our complete support in establishing the facts of what happened and ensuring that those responsible face the full force of British justice," Miliband said.
It has now been confirmed that the victim was a serving soldier from the army barracks in Woolwich but his identity is being withheld on the request of his family.
He was ambushed by the men as he left the base in Woolwich, who attacked him and then dragged his body into the middle of the road to pose for photographs while standing over him waving a cleaver and a gun, according to eye witnesses.

The two suspects were filmed claiming the attack was in response to killings of Muslims in Afghanistan.
Floral tributes and messages continue to pour in at the scene of the brutal murder, with many referring to the victim as a "fallen hero".