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

The minister was speaking to LBC's NIck Ferrari at Breakfast

'On Tuesday he loves the policy, 24 hours later he quits over it': Nick Ferrari grills minister over Jenrick's resignation

Exclusive
'Why does the word Conservative not appear on your posters?' Susan Hall grilled

Susan Hall claims she is 'being naughty' by leaving the word 'Conservative' off her Mayoral campaign material

Exclusive
Susan Hall has doubled down on claims she was pickpocketed on the Tube

'Can you be trusted with London?' Susan Hall refuses to apologise as she stands by Tube 'pickpocketing' claims

Nick Ferrari

'I cannot overstate the amount of trauma': Infected blood scandal victim advocates for justice and compensation

The Security Minister was speaking to LBC's NIck Ferrari

Security Minister agrees Home Office losing 17,000 asylum seekers is an 'absolute shambles'

Caller Sol speaks to Nick Ferrari from Jerusalem.

Caller describes terrifying moment he heard gunshots as two Palestinian attackers open fire in Jerusalem

Israel and Hamas have started a four-day truce

'We won't live with Hamas': Fragile four-day truce between Israel and Hamas is 'just a pause', insists Netanyahu adviser

Treasury Minister Gareth Davies confirms that there are 'no plans' to change winter fuel payments

'We've always stood by pensioners;' Minister confirms there are 'no plans' to change winter fuel payments

Sunak will quit even if the election loss is not as bad as feared, Kwasi Kwarteng has told LBC

Rishi Sunak will go even if Tories lose election narrowly but Braverman has no hope of taking over, Kwasi Kwarteng says

David Cameron's return to government signals 'the grown ups are back in the building' Clare Foges tells LBC

David Cameron's return to government signals 'the grown ups are back in the building' Clare Foges tells LBC

Exclusive
The education minister has said he respects the police's operational independence.

‘I’ve always respected the operational independence of the police’, education minister says amid Braverman ‘bias’ row

The Culture Secretary was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Sports Secretary caught offside by Nick Ferrari as she can't name Rugby adviser she's met with twice in last few months

Hamas are booby trapping nurseries, an IDF spokesperson has said as forces close in on Gaza

Hamas leaving booby traps in nurseries as it departs, says IDF spokesperson

The Justice Secretary was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari ahead of the state opening of Parliament

Government defends King's speech crackdown on crime as long-planned, not electioneering

Police should take 'as robust a line as possible' on Just Stop Oil, says ex-Met commander

Police should take 'as robust a line as possible' on Just Stop Oil, says ex-Met commander

Rishi Sunak says police have the ‘absolute and total’ support of ministers

Rishi Sunak says police have ‘absolute and total’ support ahead of pro-Palestinian protest planned for Armistice Day