Murder no excuse for reprisal attacks, says Lee Rigby's family

Drummer Lee Rigby

Lee Rigby would not have wanted his death used to excuse reprisal attacks, his family have said.

The family's plea comes amid reports of a sharp rise in anti-Muslim incidents since the soldier's murder in Woolwich.

Faith Matters, an inter-faith organisation aimed at tackling extremism, said it had recorded 212 incidents since last Wednesday, up from between four and six per day.

In a statement, Drummer Rigby's family said: "Lee would not want people to use his name as an excuse to carry out attacks against others".

"We would not wish any other families to go through this harrowing experience and appeal to everyone to keep calm and show their respect in a peaceful manner."

Drummer Rigby's regiment, the Royal Fusiliers, also issued a notice to veterans and serving soldiers warning them about being associated with far-right groups.

It said a number of retired soldiers had been approached to take part in demonstrations taking place in the wake of the soldier's death.

Brigadier Ian Liles, regimental secretary to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, said: "It is wrong and disgraceful that the death of one of our own should be exploited in this manner."

A separate notice issued by Army headquarters and passed on by Colonel James Stopford warned that "extremist organisations (the English Defence League in particular) will seize any opportunity to align veterans with their cause".