
Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed Monday morning that a van crash at Finsbury Park Mosque is being treated as a potential terrorist attack.
She tweeted that she would chair an emergency response meeting on Monday:
PM: Appalled by the terrible incident in Finsbury Park. My thoughts & prayers go out to the victims, their families & the emergency services— UK Prime Minister (@UK Prime Minister) 1497855178
PM: This morning, I will lead an emergency meeting of COBR.— UK Prime Minister (@UK Prime Minister) 1497855240
The vehicle hit people leaving the welfare centre near the Finsbury Park Mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. In this month it is common for Muslim people to attend prayers at night and the early hours of the morning.
Police said that one man was pronounced dead at the scene and the van driver was detained by members of the public before being arrested.
The Muslim Council of Britain has said the attack was the most violent manifestation of Islamaphobia in Britain in recent months, and called for extra security at places of worship.
It appears that a white man in a van intentionally ploughed into a group of worshippers who were already tending to someone who had been taken ill.
The recently reappointed Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott called for a review of security for all mosques.
Terror attack outside #FinsburyPark mosque. Police must urgently review security for all mosques #StandTogether— Diane Abbott MP (@Diane Abbott MP) 1497847764
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said:
The Met have deployed extra police to reassure communities, especially those observing Ramadan.
Harry Potter author and presence on Twitter, J.K. Rowling has been vocal about the incident, criticising the media for their contributions to narratives surrounding Islam and terrorism.
Let's talk about how the #FinsburyPark terrorist was radicalised. https://t.co/Lx1woEaLKL— J.K. Rowling (@J.K. Rowling) 1497856684
Again: let's talk about how the #FinsburyPark terrorist was radicalised. https://t.co/t3O6q5zfXq— J.K. Rowling (@J.K. Rowling) 1497860492
She's not the only one tweeting about it:
We need address the reasons why the #FinsburyPark terrorist was radicalised. https://t.co/oLaHKYeSkB— James Melville (@James Melville) 1497857444
Pathetic to see far right now try& portray their incitement to violence as simple commentary. You hear same excuses from islamist apologists— Brendan Cox (@Brendan Cox) 1497857509
Nigel Farage has replied to Rowling, and defended himself by claiming he never suggested going to war with Islam and that Rowling's views represent prejudice:
You have ignorantly chosen not to listen to my repeated comments about not going to war with Islam. Your prejudice… https://t.co/a8Jo7UlkHA— Nigel Farage (@Nigel Farage) 1497858851
Which others have contested he has contributed to pervasive narratives that fuel divisions in society:
So says that fine purveyor of dog whistle racism. #FinsburyParkattack https://t.co/hpNruhmNBA— Buddy Hell 🥤 (@Buddy Hell 🥤) 1497859715
Farage has long been a divisive figure in UK politics having accused the Muslim population of Britain of "split loyalties" previously and for criticising what he perceived as a lack of integration from the community.
In the wake of the Paris terror attacks he said:
The thing that makes me angry about what happened in Paris is frankly the fact that it was so utterly and entirely predictable.
I think we’ve reached a point where we have to admit to ourselves, in Britain and France and much of the rest of Europe, that mass immigration and multicultural division has for now been a failure.
He continued that there was a "problem with some of the Muslim community in this country" and said research suggested British Muslim experienced "tremendous conflict and a split of loyalties".
He was criticised by fellow politicians for his remarks, commonly seen as unhelpful. Then-Home Secretary Theresa May said:
British Muslims and indeed Muslims worldwide have said very clearly these events are abhorrent. The attacks have nothing to do with Islam which is followed peacefully by millions of people around the world.
Labour MP Yvette Cooper said at the time:
Isis twists, distort and undermines Islam, they attack Muslims, Christians and anyone who gets in their way.
As Nigel Farage knows, people from Muslim communities across Britain and Europe have condemned the vile attacks in Paris.​
Farage has tweeted a condemnation of sorts for the attack in Finsbury Park:
This awful attack in Finsbury Park could only make things worse.— Nigel Farage (@Nigel Farage) 1497853918
J.K. Rowling has finished her argument on one final point, drawing on Brendan Cox.
Those who dehumanise & stereotype muslims have no moral high ground from which to deplore demonisation of secular w… https://t.co/tdThs5MJHE— J.K. Rowling (@J.K. Rowling) 1497862632