THE family of the soldier hacked to death in Woolwich paid tribute tonight to “a loving son, husband, father, brother and uncle”, adding that he always wanted to be in the Army and “live life and enjoy himself”.

Drummer Lee Rigby, 25, was killed by two assailants on the streets of south east London yesterday.

A total of four people including the two men shot by police have now been arrested in connection with the brutal attack.

Scotland Yard said a man and a woman, both 29, were held today on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and are being questioned at a police station in south London.

The two men who were shot, aged 22 and 28, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in hospital in a stable condition with non life-threatening injuries.

Drummer Rigby’s family issued the following tribute: “Lee was lovely. He would do anything for anybody, he always looked after his sisters and always protected them. He took a ‘big brother’ role with everyone.

“All he wanted to do from when he was a little boy, was be in the Army. He wanted to live life and enjoy himself. His family meant everything to him. He was a loving son, husband, father, brother, and uncle, and a friend to many.

“We ask that our privacy be respected at this difficult time.”

Six residential addresses were being searched today as part of the investigation, three in south London, one in east London, one in north London and one in Lincolnshire.

In a statement the force said: “This is a large, complex and fast-moving investigation which continues to develop.

“Many lines of inquiry are being followed by detectives and the investigation is progressing well.”

Officers have recovered a number of items from the murder scene and continue to appeal for witnesses to get in touch, and send in footage and photographs of what happened.

A post mortem examination was taking place on Drummer Rigby’s body this afternoon.

Woolwich terror attack: Soldier hacked to death by two suspected terrorists named as Drummer Lee Rigby
 

Tonight US president Barack Obama issued a statement to say: “I condemn in the strongest terms the appalling attack against a British service member in Woolwich on May 22.

“The United States stands resolute with the United Kingdom, our ally and friend, against violent extremism and terror. There can be absolutely no justification for such acts, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim, the police and security services responding to this horrific act and the communities they serve, and the British people.”

Earlier tributes were paid to Drummer Rigby, 25, from Crumpsall, Manchester who had a two-year-old son.

He was from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, and was attached to the Regimental Recruiting Team in London.

Sergeant Barry Ward said he was “a loving father” to his two-year-old son Jack, and had “a very bubbly character”.

A shocked and tearful neighbour outside the family home in Middleton, Greater Manchester, who did not want to be named, said: “He had always wanted to be in the army since he was knee high.”

A steady stream of relatives and friends visited the house throughout the day to support the family.

Police and PCSOs also stood guard outside the house and patrolled the street.

Drummer Rigby, who joined the Army in 2006, had served in Helmand province, Afghanistan, where he was a member of the Fire Support Group in Patrol Base Woqab.

A life-long Manchester United fan, he had also stood outside the Royal Palaces as part of his battalion’s public duties commitment.

The Rt Rev Mark Davies, The Bishop of Middleton, said: “The nation has been shocked by Lee’s death. But the greatest burden is carried by those he knew and loved. Our prayers and sympathies are with his family, friends and those he served with.”

Drummer Rigby was brutally murdered by two attackers who were British and of Nigerian descent.

The pair, who were shot by police, were known to security services, and apparently shouted “Allah Akhbar” as they struck.

It is believed that the serving soldier was run over and then hacked to death, yards from a primary school.

Alfie Swain, who said he had met Drummer Rigby, told BBC News: “I can’t explain it, how much it hurts. It’s just disappointing.

“I’d met him in and out of the Army base itself. Hearing that he’s gone is just destroying. He was a nice man. He was caring, loving. To hear that he’s gone is just disappointing.

“I’m just terribly, terribly upset. I just want to burst into tears right now.”

Eyewitnesses said that one of the attackers charged towards officers clutching bloodied weapons including a meat cleaver, while the other brandished a gun.

One chilling video clip showed a man with heavily blood-stained hands claiming the killing was committed in the name of Allah and ranting about the Government.

He said: “We swear by almighty Allah we will never stop fighting you.”

The attacker went on: “We must fight them as they fight us. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

Today officers searched the former home of a man called Michael Adebolajo in Saxilby, Lincolnshire, as well as other addresses in London.

This afternoon two police vans were stationed outside a ground-floor flat in east Greenwich, south-east London, with about a dozen officers positioned outside.

The front door of the flat in Eastney Street, had been shattered.

One neighbour said four people had been led away from the flat at 6am, and that two children, aged three and seven, were also taken away.

Another neighbour Nicola James, 45, said she believed one of the men arrested over the Woolwich incident was in a relationship with one of the two women who live at the Greenwich flat.

Ms James said she had not seen the other suspect around the housing estate, but added: “He was always out in Woolwich, giving out radical leaflets.”

Following a meeting of the Cobra emergency response committee today, Prime Minister David Cameron said the attack had “sickened” the country.

He said: “This country will be absolutely resolute in its stand against violent extremism and terror. We will never give in to terror or terrorism in any of its forms.”

Anjem Choudary, former leader of banned Islamic group Al Muhajiroun, said he knew one of the attackers but had not seen him for about two years.

He claimed to recognise the man who was filmed wielding a bloodied meat cleaver while saying: “We swear by almighty Allah we will never stop fighting you.”

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said prosecutors have given the police investigating team initial advice about the case.

He said: “As is standard practice, we have provided some initial investigative advice to the police. We will continue to do so as required.”

Police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it is not pursuing any criminal or misconduct offences in relation to the officers who used their weapons.

IPCC investigators have viewed CCTV of what happened, and said two officers fired guns and one discharged a Taser.

They have given initial accounts of what happened.

IPCC commissioner Derrick Campbell said: “Our investigation is as a result of the tragic events yesterday and I would like to express my sincere sympathies to the family of Lee Rigby at this terrible time.

“We have viewed CCTV footage of the police shooting. At this stage we are not pursuing any criminal or misconduct offences.

“Officers have provided initial statements and we will be obtaining additional accounts.

“The IPCC is independently verifying information regarding the circumstances of this incident and we can promise the Woolwich community, and wider public, that our investigation will be thorough.”

Hundreds of bunches of flowers were tied to the railings of the barracks at the corner of John Wilson Street and Artillery Place, or placed on the wall.

Among the floral tributes were small wooden crosses bearing poppies, with “In Remembrance” written underneath.

Cards and messages read: “Goodnight and God bless young man”, “Such a senseless act” and “A young man taken so tragically”.

After the police reopened the streets, well-wishers arrived to pay their respects, read the messages attached to bouquets, and lay flowers.

HEARTS director Sergejus Fedotovas admits he is still unsure what the
implications will be for the club should majority shareholder UBIG officially confirm its “indication” of insolvency.

Fedotovas is still speaking to lawyers to determine the position of the investment firm and the club but he believes there will be some clarity from Lithuania within 30 days.

UBIG, which owns 79 per cent of Hearts, was last week named on a Lithuanian government list of firms which are unable to meet their financial obligations but the club escaped instant relegation when the Scottish Premier League ruled that did not constitute an insolvency event in its rules.

But Hearts could start next season with a 15-point deduction if UBIG’s insolvency is confirmed in court and the SPL decides such a move falls foul of its financial fair play rules.

Speaking after the club’s annual general meeting, Fedotovas told Hearts TV: “The news about UBIG was very much unexpected, something we didn’t anticipate.

“To be frank we are still trying to find out what the reality is behind it and how this will impact on Hearts.

“Pretty much we know the company has declared it’s in a position where it may not be able to meet its obligations and pay the bills. But as I understand from the Lithuanian legal background, it is something it
has time to consider.

“The company has around 30 days to revoke that or take it further
to the stage where it will be filing for bankruptcy or insolvency.

“It will be decided by the court whether the company will go into insolvency or not.”

Hearts could themselves lurch towards administration because of events in Lithuania, if their debts are called in.

Hearts owe £25million in total with £10million of that unsecured debt
to UBIG and £15million secured debt to Ukio Bankas, which is challenging a bankruptcy order in Lithuania.

Fedotovas said: “We have had discussions with Ukio Bankas and are
hopeful of positive developments that will allow this club to continue in some form to service the debt and basically doesn’t represent a significant risk to the business.”

The club have not received external funding from UBIG since early
last year but they needed more than £1million of fans’ money from a share issue to avoid a winding-up order in December.

And reports from inside the AGM claimed the club was depending on
£1.5million of fans’ money next season through the launch of a membership scheme, along with £1million in transfer money, although it is unclear whether this is guaranteed income from historic transfer fees
for the likes of David Templeton and Ryan McGowan.

Fedotovas said: “The shareholder has funded us for many years and
has been instrumental in funding most important victories and achievements since 2005.

“But we were moving to be self-sustainable. More than one year has passed since we have had any funding from our shareholders.

“We have managed some difficult times but we are looking with optimism into the future.

“There are quite a lot of positives happening in our financial situation, our costs are going down and the revenues are improving.”

Hearts are continuing to hold talks with groups who have declared an interest in buying the club.

A Scandinavian consortium has stepped up its interest while an amalgam of fans’ groups are continuing discussions. Angelo Massone, who took Livingston into administration, has previously bid for the club and
has declared his continued interest.

Fedotovas insisted they would only consider offers that do not put the club at risk.

“The board needs to look into the bid, to consider the bidders, to consider the plan behind the bid, and if that is something that will improve the situation at the club then this will happen,” he said.

“But until that happens we are working hard to keep this business going forward. That’s our main strategy.

“The most important thing for us is to continue business, strengthen the team and improve our football performance.

“If there is a bidder who can propose a better solution, who will
be able to support his bids with funds, and represent a better choice for fans and shareholders, then the change will happen.”

The collapse of Ukio Bankas and UBIG has come hand in hand with the crumbling of the personal finances of Vladimir Romanov, who effectively controlled the club from 2005.

Amid reports that Romanov suffered a stroke in Moscow that rendered him unable to return to Lithuania to face questions over his finances, Fedotovas said: “I have heard that he was unwell. Obviously there has been a lot of pressure and a significant change to his life with the collapse of his business.

“He is a man of significant age and obviously he is not a young boy and all this pressure does not add to his wellbeing.”

HEARTS director Sergejus Fedotovas admits he is still unsure what the
implications will be for the club should majority shareholder UBIG officially confirm its “indication” of insolvency.

Fedotovas is still speaking to lawyers to determine the position of the investment firm and the club but he believes there will be some clarity from Lithuania within 30 days.

UBIG, which owns 79 per cent of Hearts, was last week named on a Lithuanian government list of firms which are unable to meet their financial obligations but the club escaped instant relegation when the Scottish Premier League ruled that did not constitute an insolvency event in its rules.

But Hearts could start next season with a 15-point deduction if UBIG’s insolvency is confirmed in court and the SPL decides such a move falls foul of its financial fair play rules.

Speaking after the club’s annual general meeting, Fedotovas told Hearts TV: “The news about UBIG was very much unexpected, something we didn’t anticipate.

“To be frank we are still trying to find out what the reality is behind it and how this will impact on Hearts.

“Pretty much we know the company has declared it’s in a position where it may not be able to meet its obligations and pay the bills. But as I understand from the Lithuanian legal background, it is something it
has time to consider.

“The company has around 30 days to revoke that or take it further
to the stage where it will be filing for bankruptcy or insolvency.

“It will be decided by the court whether the company will go into insolvency or not.”

Hearts could themselves lurch towards administration because of events in Lithuania, if their debts are called in.

Hearts owe £25million in total with £10million of that unsecured debt
to UBIG and £15million secured debt to Ukio Bankas, which is challenging a bankruptcy order in Lithuania.

Fedotovas said: “We have had discussions with Ukio Bankas and are
hopeful of positive developments that will allow this club to continue in some form to service the debt and basically doesn’t represent a significant risk to the business.”

The club have not received external funding from UBIG since early
last year but they needed more than £1million of fans’ money from a share issue to avoid a winding-up order in December.

And reports from inside the AGM claimed the club was depending on
£1.5million of fans’ money next season through the launch of a membership scheme, along with £1million in transfer money, although it is unclear whether this is guaranteed income from historic transfer fees
for the likes of David Templeton and Ryan McGowan.

Fedotovas said: “The shareholder has funded us for many years and
has been instrumental in funding most important victories and achievements since 2005.

“But we were moving to be self-sustainable. More than one year has passed since we have had any funding from our shareholders.

“We have managed some difficult times but we are looking with optimism into the future.

“There are quite a lot of positives happening in our financial situation, our costs are going down and the revenues are improving.”

Hearts are continuing to hold talks with groups who have declared an interest in buying the club.

A Scandinavian consortium has stepped up its interest while an amalgam of fans’ groups are continuing discussions. Angelo Massone, who took Livingston into administration, has previously bid for the club and
has declared his continued interest.

Fedotovas insisted they would only consider offers that do not put the club at risk.

“The board needs to look into the bid, to consider the bidders, to consider the plan behind the bid, and if that is something that will improve the situation at the club then this will happen,” he said.

“But until that happens we are working hard to keep this business going forward. That’s our main strategy.

“The most important thing for us is to continue business, strengthen the team and improve our football performance.

“If there is a bidder who can propose a better solution, who will
be able to support his bids with funds, and represent a better choice for fans and shareholders, then the change will happen.”

The collapse of Ukio Bankas and UBIG has come hand in hand with the crumbling of the personal finances of Vladimir Romanov, who effectively controlled the club from 2005.

Amid reports that Romanov suffered a stroke in Moscow that rendered him unable to return to Lithuania to face questions over his finances, Fedotovas said: “I have heard that he was unwell. Obviously there has been a lot of pressure and a significant change to his life with the collapse of his business.

“He is a man of significant age and obviously he is not a young boy and all this pressure does not add to his wellbeing.”

Tim Henman reckons Andy Murray’s decision to pull out of the French Open will boost his chances of Wimbledon glory.

After days of tests, scans and consulting with specialists, the world No.2 decided on Tuesday that he dare not risk his ailing back at Roland Garros, which starts on Sunday.

He
has been troubled by a disc problem in his lower back for the past 18 months and playing on the slow, gruelling clay courts only makes the condition worse.

Last year,
he needed eight painkilling injections around the injury just to be able to give himself a chance of playing in Paris.

This
year, he is staying at home and trying to get himself fit and ready for
the start of the grasscourt season in two weeks’ time.

Henman, a former semi-finalist at the French Open said: “I think it’s a very good decision that Andy
has made.

“If
you’re going into the French and looking to win the tournament you have
to be fully fit for best-of-five set matches on clay. In terms of the physical toll that it takes on your body, the French Open is as great as
any.

“There’s no point in Andy going in there and trying to win a round or two. If he was going to
enter, he needed to be thinking he could win the tournament.

“If he’s not fit enough it’s better to make the sensible decision and save himself for the grass. It could potentially help him on the grass.

“Rafa Nadal is very much the favourite for the French Open. He’s still the king of clay and what he has done is incredible since he returned from injury.

“At Wimbledon, I could very easily make a case for all of the top four players in the world, particularly if Andy can arrive fully fit.”

Boris Becker, meanwhile, regards Murray’s withdrawal as a “blessing in disguise” ahead of Wimbledon.

Becker
said: “We have to admit that clay is not Andy’s strongest surface. If he goes half-fit into the French Open he can’t possibly win it and might
damage his chances for Wimbledon.

“In
a way, it was a blessing in disguise. I think he just wants to make sure that his chances at Wimbledon are not affected one bit.”

A TOTAL of four people including the two men shot by police have now been arrested in connection with the murder of a soldier in Woolwich.

Scotland Yard said a man and a woman, both 29, were held today on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and are being questioned at a police station in south London.

The two men who were shot, aged 22 and 28, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in hospital in a stable condition with non life-threatening injuries.

Drummer Lee Rigby, 25, was hacked to death by two attackers in Woolwich, south east London, yesterday.

Six residential addresses are being searched today as part of the investigation, three in south London, one in east London, one in north London and one in Lincolnshire.

In a statement the force said: “This is a large, complex and fast-moving investigation which continues to develop.

“Many lines of inquiry are being followed by detectives and the investigation is progressing well.”

Officers have recovered a number of items from the murder scene and continue to appeal for witnesses to get in touch, and send in footage and photographs of what happened.

A post mortem examination was taking place on Drummer Rigby’s body this afternoon.

Tonight US president Barack Obama issued a statement to say: “I condemn in the strongest terms the appalling attack against a British service member in Woolwich on May 22.

“The United States stands resolute with the United Kingdom, our ally and friend, against violent extremism and terror. There can be absolutely no justification for such acts, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim, the police and security services responding to this horrific act and the communities they serve, and the British people.”

Earlier tributes were paid to Drummer Rigby, 25, from Crumpsall, Manchester who had a two-year-old son.

He was from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, and was attached to the Regimental Recruiting Team in London.

Sergeant Barry Ward said he was “a loving father” to his two-year-old son Jack, and had “a very bubbly character”.

A shocked and tearful neighbour outside the family home in Middleton, Greater Manchester, who did not want to be named, said: “He had always wanted to be in the army since he was knee high.”

A steady stream of relatives and friends visited the house throughout the day to support the family.

Police and PCSOs also stood guard outside the house and patrolled the street.

Drummer Rigby, who joined the Army in 2006, had served in Helmand
province, Afghanistan, where he was a member of the Fire Support Group in Patrol Base Woqab.

A life-long Manchester United fan, he had also stood outside the Royal Palaces as part of his battalion’s public duties commitment.

The Rt Rev Mark Davies, The Bishop of Middleton, said: “The nation has been shocked by Lee’s death. But the greatest burden is carried by those he knew and loved. Our prayers and sympathies are with his family, friends and those he served with.”

Drummer Rigby was brutally murdered in the street in Woolwich, south east London, yesterday by two attackers who were British and of Nigerian descent.

The pair, who were shot by police, were known to security services, and apparently shouted “Allah Akhbar” as they struck.

It is believed that the serving soldier was run over and then hacked to death, yards from a primary school.

Alfie Swain, who said he had met Drummer Rigby, told BBC News: “I can’t explain it, how much it hurts. It’s just disappointing.

“I’d met him in and out of the Army base itself. Hearing that he’s gone is just destroying. He was a nice man. He was caring, loving. To hear that he’s gone is just disappointing.

“I’m just terribly, terribly upset. I just want to burst into tears right now.”

Eyewitnesses said that one of the attackers charged towards officers clutching bloodied weapons including a meat cleaver, while the other brandished a gun.

One chilling video clip showed a man with heavily blood-stained hands claiming the killing was committed in the name of Allah and ranting about the Government.

He said: “We swear by almighty Allah we will never stop fighting you.”

The attacker went on: “We must fight them as they fight us. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

Today officers searched the former home of a man called Michael Adebolajo in Saxilby, Lincolnshire, as well as other addresses in London.

This afternoon two police vans were stationed outside a ground-floor flat in east Greenwich, south-east London, with about a dozen officers positioned outside.

The front door of the flat in Eastney Street, had been shattered.

One neighbour said four people had been led away from the flat at
6am, and that two children, aged three and seven, were also taken away.

Another neighbour Nicola James, 45, said she believed one of the men arrested over the Woolwich incident was in a relationship with one of the two women who live at the Greenwich flat.

Ms James said she had not seen the other suspect around the housing estate, but added: “He was always out in Woolwich, giving out radical leaflets.”

Following a meeting of the Cobra emergency response committee today, Prime Minister David Cameron said the attack had “sickened” the country.

He said: “This country will be absolutely resolute in its stand against violent extremism and terror. We will never give in to terror or
terrorism in any of its forms.”

Anjem Choudary, former leader of banned Islamic group Al Muhajiroun, said he knew one of the attackers but had not seen him for about two years.

He claimed to recognise the man who was filmed wielding a bloodied meat cleaver while saying: “We swear by almighty Allah we will never stop fighting you.”

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said prosecutors have given the police investigating team initial advice about the case.

He said: “As is standard practice, we have provided some initial investigative advice to the police. We will continue to do so as required.”

Police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it is not pursuing any criminal or misconduct offences in relation to the officers who used their weapons.

IPCC investigators have viewed CCTV of what happened, and said two officers fired guns and one discharged a Taser.

They have given initial accounts of what happened.

IPCC commissioner Derrick Campbell said: “Our investigation is as
a result of the tragic events yesterday and I would like to express my sincere sympathies to the family of Lee Rigby at this terrible time.

“We have viewed CCTV footage of the police shooting. At this stage we are not pursuing any criminal or misconduct offences.

“Officers have provided initial statements and we will be obtaining additional accounts.

“The IPCC is independently verifying information regarding the circumstances of this incident and we can promise the Woolwich community, and wider public, that our investigation will be thorough.”