Lee Rigby: David Cameron slammed for failing to commit to campaign a memorial to him - Continentalinquirer

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Sunday 24 May 2015

Lee Rigby: David Cameron slammed for failing to commit to campaign a memorial to him


Lee Rigby was hacked to death in 2013
Lee Rigby

The heartbroken mother of fusilier Lee Rigby has criticised David Cameron for failing to throw his weight behind a campaign for a memorial to her murdered son. 
Lyn Rigby was turned down by Greenwich Council last year after relentlessly calling for a plaque or some sort of memorial to be placed outside Woolwich Barracks in memory of her murdered son. 
In March she had a private meeting with David Cameron as he prepared for the General Election, but says she has not heard from Downing Street since.
Lyn Rigby is calling for a tribute to be made outside Woolwich Barracks

Lyn Rigby is calling for a memorial to be placed on the spot where her son, Fusilier Lee Rigby, was murdered by two Islamic fanatics in 2013 

It comes as Mrs Rigby visited the site where her son was hacked to death on the second anniversary of his senseless killing at the hands of  Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale who are both serving life sentences. 

Speaking of her desire for a small plaque or memorial to her son, Mrs Rigby expressed her disappointment at not having received the support of David Cameron with whom she met in March. 
David Cameron had a private meeting with Lyn Rigby in March 
David Cameron had a private meeting with Lyn Rigby in March 
Visiting her the site where her son was brutally killed on the second anniversary of his death, she told The Sun: 'I met David Cameron and asked him about a memorial and I haven't heard back yet.' 
Following her son's horrifying killing, Mrs Rigby called for a memorial to be placed at the scene where her son was murdered.
She was supported by thousands of people across Britain, but their hopes were crushed by Greenwich Council, the relevant local authority. 
But it was never created with senior councillors claiming it could incite vandalism or attention from Islamic fanatics. 
Instead a commemorative stone dedicated to 'all soldiers' who had served was suggested.  
A spokesman said at the time it would serve 'to mark Woolwich's history as a barracks town and to commemorate all those servicemen and women who have served or lived in Woolwich and who have given their lives in the service of their country'.
In March Mrs Rigby met with David Cameron while he geared up for the General Election but it is not known whether the Prime Minister discussed the possibility of overruling Greenwich Council's decision. 
A Downing Street spokesman today declined to give details of their discussion, claiming it was a 'private meeting'. 
They did not have a response when asked whether the Prime Minister stood behind Mrs Rigby's calls for a memorial. 
Visiting the scene where her son was killed two years ago on Friday, Mrs Rigby spoke of her heartache at not being able to lay her wreath of flowers on a designated plaque. 
Flowers and wreaths left outside Woolwich Barracks (above) in tribute to the fusilier. Greenwich Council refused calls to erect a tribute dedicated specifically to Lee 
Flowers and wreaths left outside Woolwich Barracks (above) in tribute to the fusilier. Greenwich Council refused calls to erect a tribute dedicated specifically to Lee 
A memorial bronze drum was placed in Middleton Memorial Gardens in Cheshire, Mrs Rigby's home town 
A memorial bronze drum was placed in Middleton Memorial Gardens in Cheshire, Mrs Rigby's home town 


'I wanted to honour my and love my son but the only place I could lay my love was on the side of a road. It was devastating,' she said. 
'I am so very sad and angry that the people who run the council cannot see the suffering we are going through,' she added.
A memorial drum has been placed in Middleton in Cheshire, Mrs Rigby's hometown, in memory of Fusilier Rigby. 
The bronze drum and plaque is in the centre of Middleton Memorial Gardens and was unveiled earlier this year. 
A Royal Borough of Greenwich spokesperson said: 'Meetings and discussions have been held with the individual members of Lee Rigby's family – his widow, Rebecca, as next of kin, and his mum and stepfather Lyn and Ian. 
'We have also had a supportive call for our proposals from his father. The Council has regular close contact with the Army, and has taken advice from them. 
'It has also listened to the wider community, including the local faith leaders and the local Members of Parliament, to agree on the most appropriate way of recognising the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby. The Council has had to balance differing views.'
Michael Adebolajo (left) and Michael Adebowale (right) were both jailed for life for slaying the fusilier in 2013
Michael Adebolajo (left) and Michael Adebowale (right) were both jailed for life for slaying the fusilier in 2013

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