A hate preacher was falsely named as the London terror suspect by Channel 4 News tonight,the broadcaster has said.
Trevor Brooks, known as Abu Izzadeen, was initially identified by the broadcaster as the man suspected of carrying out the terrifying attack in Westminster this afternoon, crediting an unnamed source.
But journalist Simon Israel later stated that this was not the case, adding that Brooks was still in prison.
An hour after the end of the 7pm bulletin, Mr Israel tweeted the following: “The source I trusted, but ultimately I made a mistake. This time I got it wrong. Abu Izzadeen is in prison.”
ABC News had earlier reported that Brooks’s lawyer stated his client could not have been behind the attack that killed three people – because he remains behind bars.
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(Photo: Reuters)
The hate preacher was jailed for two years in January 2016 after committing a “serious and deliberate” breach of counter-terrorism restrictions.
He was born in Britain to Christian parents of Jamaican origin. He converted to Islam aged 17 with one of his brothers and changed his name.
He has appeared in court on numerous occasions on terror charges during his life.
In a statement tonight, Channel 4 News accepted that it had made a mistake.
(Photo: Metropolitan Police)
A statement issued on Twitter said: “During tonight’s programme, respected senior home affairs correspondent Simon Israel quoted a source wrongly claiming the identity of the alleged Westminster attacker was believed to be Abu Izzadeen.
“This is not the case and we apologise to our viewers for the error.”
It comes as shocking aerial footage has emerged showing how an ordinary family car was allegedly used to cause carnage in today’s attack.
Three people – including a policeman – were killed and at least 20 others were injured before the suspect was shot dead, police said.
(Photo: PA)
The attack began when the black Hyundai i40 mounted the pavement and struck pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before crashing into railings.
A knifeman then allegedly got out of the car and tried to force his way past a security check-point at the front of the Houses of Parliament.
Wielding a knife, he reportedly stabbed a police officer guarding the Houses before being shot by armed police outside the Palace of Westminster.
(Photo: SkyNews/Twitter)
(Photo: SkyNews/Twitter)
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The officer, who was “protecting parliament”, and two others died following the related incidents, Scotland Yard said this evening.
The suspect – who is believed to have acted alone – also passed away. Nearly two dozen others have been injured – some “catastrophically”.