The man who carried out the stab attack at London Bridge on Friday, named by police as Usman Khan, had previously been jailed for terrorism offences.Khan, 28, was wearing a GPS police tag and was out of prison on licence when he launched his attack, in which a man and a woman were killed and three others were injured.
Khan was shot dead by officers after members of the public restrained him.
The Queen said she was “saddened” by the attack.
She thanked the emergency services “as well as the brave individuals who put their own lives at risk to selflessly help and protect others”.
Police declared the attack a terrorist incident.
Khan was known to the authorities, having been convicted for terrorism offences in 2012. He was released from prison on licence in December 2018, Met Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said.
As part of his release conditions, Khan had to take part in the government’s desistance and disengagement programme – the purpose of which is the rehabilitation of people who have been involved in terrorism.
The Parole Board said it had no involvement in the 28-year-old’s release, saying he “appears to have been released automatically on licence (as required by law)”.
The Times reported that Khan’s release came after he agreed to wear an electronic tag and have his movements monitored.
After leaving prison he had moved into a Stafford property on the “approved premises” list.
