Exclusive: Friend Of Westminster Terror Suspect Salih Khater Speaks To LBC

16 August 2018, 08:37

A friend of the man suspected of the Westminster terror crash has told LBC he was a calm, polite man who wasn't religious.

Salih Khater is being held by police on suspicion of terrorism and attempted murder following the incident outside the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, in which three cyclists were injured.

Dr Mahdi Mohamed Khair has known the suspect for seven years, having played football with him in Birmingham.

Talking of Mr Khater, he said: "He is a calm, bright and very polite young man and is usually friendly to everybody.

"He's very popular. Before he went to London, he attended a friend's wedding party and was dancing with people as usual. Nothing changed in his behaviour.

"He's not that into the Islamic religion. He doesn't really pray and rarely goes to the Mosque, even for Friday prayers."

Nick Ferrari spoke to a friend of Salih Khater
Nick Ferrari spoke to a friend of Salih Khater. Picture: LBC

On his interests, he said: "Just football. And he's really really keen to complete his studies in the UK."

The newspapers reported that he failed his accountancy course, but Dr Khair revealed he had changed to study physics instead and was working in security.

He urged caution about whether his friend was a terrorist, adding: "My personal opinion is that this man is just having a panic attack. There was an ambulance coming behind him and he tried to avoid being in the way and that's all that is happening.

"But he threatened some lives and I'm very concerned about that."

One thing Dr Khair was confused about is who the car belonged to. The suspect was driving a silver Ford Fiesta, but the doctor confirmed that was not his car.

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
Nick Ferrari Challenge: Can LBC’s Henry Riley recreate Daniel Khalife’s prison escape?

Nick Ferrari Challenge: Can LBC’s Henry Riley recreate Daniel Khalife’s dramatic prison escape?

Exclusive
Mandy Damari, the mother of Emily Damari - the last remaining British citizen being held hostage in Gaza - has pleaded with Sir Keir Starmer to help bring her daughter home as she looked back on the harrowing events of October 7.

'It nearly broke my heart': Mother of British hostage Emily Damari blasts Downing Street over vetoed Gaza deal

Exclusive
Jane Rubens, 73, from Edinburgh was hit by a large vehicle in early November and remains in a coma.

Insurance firm gave Brit 'less than 24 hours' to make a decision against doctors’ advice after mum suffered brain injury

Exclusive
LBC’s Nick Ferrari has remembered being spiked while at a party.

‘The whole world was spinning’: Nick Ferrari candidly recalls drink spiking as he shares 'appalling' side-effects

Exclusive
‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK critically unprepared for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK 'woefully unprepared' for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she strongly disagrees with a tweet that a backbench MP appeared to have reposted saying Kemi Badenoch represents "white supremacy in blackface".

Cooper condemns 'appalling' tweet shared by Dawn Butler labelling Kemi Badenoch 'white supremacy in blackface'

Exclusive
Cumberland County: Where the US election could be won or lost

Nick Ferrari travels to America for the US Election: Watch the best bits here

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick

Exclusive
The government has introduced its football governance bill.

'We're on the same side': Minister denies feud with Premier League over Football Governance Bill

Exclusive
Protest sign reading Danger water pollution, this water is polluted with raw sewage. The responsible party is Thames Water. River Wey, Guildford, UK

Government warns demand for water could outstrip supply as they launch review into 'broken' sector

Nick Ferrari.

'He'll look over his shoulder for the rest of his life': Concern for Martyn Blake's privacy long overdue