Golders Green terror attack latest: Suspect known to government's counter

The man suspected of stabbing two Jewish men in the Golders Green alleged terrorist attack has been identified as Essa Suleiman.

The 45-year-old, who is being held in connection with Wednesday’s north London attack, was in 2020 referred to the government’s counter-terror programme.

Suleiman is a British national born in Somalia who had a “history of serious violence and mental health issues”, police say.

Protesters heckled prime minister Sir Keir Starmer as he arrived in Golders Green to meet first responders and community leaders. Dozens of people chanted offensive slogans.

Sir Keir and the government have come in for fierce criticism over their response to antisemitic attacks from critics who say not enough has been done to protect the Jewish community. Jewish leaders warn antisemitism is becoming normalised .

The government says an additional £25m will be invested in police patrols and security to keep Jewish communities safe. It says legislation will be fast-tracked to target those acting on behalf of state- groups.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is addressing the nation from Downing Street with an update on the Government’s response to the Golders Green terrorist attack.

Breaking news: The suspect in the double stabbing has been identified as Essa Suleiman.

The 45-year-old was previously referred to the government's counter-terror programme

The prime minister told volunteers at a Jewish community ambulance centre in Golders Green how much he appreciated their response to the suspected terror attack.

Sir Keir Starmer told the Hatzola Northwest group the attacks could have been a lot worse if it had not been for the work of the emergency personnel.

He said he felt it was really important for him to come to Golders Green the day after the attack.

As the Prime Minister left the compound he was heckled by protesters organised by Stop the Hate, with one shouting that Sir Keir was a “traitor”.

Sir Keir Starmer told Jewish people on social media they belonged in the UK after visiting Golders Green.

The Prime Minister posted: “Yesterday’s terror attack wasn’t an isolated incident, it was the latest attack on the Jewish community for being Jewish.

“Today I spoke with volunteers, first responders from Shomrim and Hatzola to thank them for their bravery.

“I know that this is a deeply worrying time for the whole community.

“My Government is taking immediate action.

“We’ve increased enhanced funding for police patrols and protective security and we’re fast-tracking legislation to deal with malign state actors.

“My message to Jewish people is this: you belong here, and we will do everything we can to keep you safe.”

Police have arrested two women, aged 57 and 54, on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred online.

One of them is a Green Party election candidate, it’s been confirmed.

The Metropolitan Police say the arrests follow an investigation launched after concerns were reported to police on 21 April antisemitic material posted online.

The women are in police custody.

Demonstrators at a protest organised by Stop the Hate heckled Sir Keir Starmer’s security convoy as it left a Jewish community ambulance centre.

One protester, who said he was Matthew, 62, from north London, said: “I’m coming to stand with my community and protest against the endless platitudes that are offered up after every incident.

“I’m tired of Cobra meetings. I want to see action,” he said.

Jenny, who declined to give her surname, said the Jewish community was angry and fed up with the Prime Minister.

“We want an end to the hate marches, to the calls of global intifada, to the calls of revolution,” she added.

Another protester named Levi, who was holding a banner with the slogan “Keir Starmer Jew Harmer”, said: “We are here today because Keir Starmer has come to the Jewish community but instead of looking to speak to us, he went instead behind the gates.”

The secretary has signalled she will consider banning the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an Iranian military group.

Ministers say new laws cracking down on people and organisations acting on behalf of “malign state- groups” will also be fast-tracked in the coming weeks.

Shabana Mahmood said she would be looking at “all organisations that would then fall within the purview” of the legislation.

“Just to reassure you, the only reason I’m not giving a wider commentary on who this will include is because we would never give any commentary on organisations that we are considering for either our proscription regime … or indeed, this new regime,” she told Sky News.

“I expect to be making decisions in the very near future the groups that we will be designating as state-linked.”

Sir Keir Starmer held a roundtable with first responders and leaders from the Hatzola ambulance service as well as Shomrim, a volunteer Jewish security group.

He was joined by secretary Shabana Mahmood and Sarah Sackman, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, as well Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.

Speaking to one of the volunteers, Ms Mahmood said: “Keeping the community safe, running to towards risk is sadly necessary.”