Archbishop's Message Of Peace Following London Bridge Attack

4 June 2017, 12:02 | Updated: 4 June 2017, 12:58

The Archbishop of Canterbury delivered a "wise" message of peace following the horror of the London Bridge terror attack.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby spoke to Andrew Pierce to give his reaction to the "terrible events of last night", the London Bridge terror attack. 

He said: "Tragically we're becoming familiar with the profound horror and grief."

He added: "I'm a Londoner, it's no more than a mile or so from where we live, and we were just utterly grieved by what we heard." 

The Archbishop went on: "I've just come out of an absolutely packed service...where that sense of...standing with the people in London, and grief, was tangible. 

"It was the most extraordinary atmosphere, but also resilience and determination. I think that reflects the reality of London. London is just showing why it is the world's greatest city, with generosity, and with open hearts, and courage." 

The Archbishop told Andrew Pierce: "The only way that we can show what we're made of is going on. We take sensible precautions.

"The terrorists want to divide us, they want to make us hate one another. They want to change our way of life."

He added that the UK should concentrate in tackling the causes of extremism. 

Justin Welby went on: "We must go on being profoundly and deeply hospitable...we mustn't turn against people because of their faith or their category, but we must turn against people who seek to divide and destroy us."

Andrew asked the Archbishop whether he fears there may be a backlash against the Muslim community.

He replied: "I am anxious about that, yes, that there would be a backlash against the Islamic community.

"Anyone who thinks of that, saying anything insulting on the tube or on the bus, or in the street, let alone attacking a mosque, or something like that, or anyone, they need to remember that if they do that, the terrorists give them a triple cheer. 

"Because they're doing exactly what the terrorists want them to do."