‘Instead of seeing a tragedy, Boris Johnson saw an opportunity:’ London Bridge victim Jack Merritt’s father slams Tory leader’s reaction to terror attack as wellwishers raise £16,000 in son’s memory
- Dave Merritt’s son Jack was killed in stabbing near London Bridge 11 days ago
- He said he doesn’t blame police or intelligence services for not stopping attack
- But Mr Merritt criticised PM Boris Johnson for trying to score political points
- Fund to raise money for celebration of victim’s life raises £16,000 in four days
The father of a London Bridge terror victim today criticised the Prime Minister’s reaction, saying: ‘Instead of seeing a tragedy, Boris Johnson saw an opportunity.’
Dave Merritt, whose 25-year-old son Jack was killed in the stabbing 11 days ago, said he does not blame the police or intelligence services for not stopping the attack.
But Mr Merritt, who is a college estates manager and Labour activist, criticised Mr Johnson for trying to scoring political points instead of seeing a tragedy.
Dave Merritt, the father of London Bridge terror attack Jack Merritt, told Sky News today that he does not blame the police or intelligence services for not stopping the attack
His comments come after a fund to raise money for a celebration of the victim’s life for his close friends and family raised more than £16,000 in just four days.
Mr Merritt told Sky News: ‘What was required was just a dignified approach whereby the politicians would express their regrets, express their condolences to the people affected, and would then get on with campaigning in the election.
‘It wasn’t an election issue. Where most of us were watching this and seeing a tragedy unfolding in front of our eyes. Instead of seeing a tragedy Boris Johnson saw an opportunity and he went on the offensive.
‘He saw an opportunity to score some points in the election – he immediately said ‘oh this is Labour’s fault, they allowed this to happen, they had this early release policy’ and so on. At that point… well I had to say something.’
Mr Merritt said there was ‘no attempt’ to contact the family from Downing Street or the Prime Minister.
Mr Merritt criticised the PM for trying to score political points instead of seeing a tragedy
‘The only contact we had was that the police liaison officer said to us ‘I’ve been asked if you would like to meet Priti Patel for her to express her condolences’. We just said no thank you.’
Jack and Saskia Jones, 23, were attacked and killed by convicted terrorist Usman Khan, 28, at a prisoner rehabilitation event at Fishmongers’ Hall on November 29.
Armed with two knives and wearing a fake suicide vest, Khan was tackled by members of the public, including ex-offenders from the conference, before he was shot dead by police.
Mr Merritt said: ‘The only person responsible for what he did is him (Usman Khan), so I’m not going to start lashing out and saying ‘somebody should have stopped this, somebody must be responsible for this’.
‘I don’t feel angry about what happened, I feel bereft and very, very sad.’
Cambridge University graduate Jack Merritt, 25, was attacked at an event near London Bridge
Mr Merritt was asked how he felt about his son’s picture being used alongside headlines about changing sentencing and an article written by the Prime Minister.
He told Sky News: ‘Pretty much as you would expect. It just reinforced my views and my feelings about the way in which this situation was being exploited.
‘It just struck me as being crass and insensitive and as we’ve already said Jack would have been extremely upset at the way in which things were developing.’
It was put to Mr Merritt that some people may say that he himself has politicised his son’s death due to not liking Boris Johnson.
He replied: ‘I would say that if anybody has a right to say something about this situation then it’s me and his family.
Mr Merritt (left) and Saskia Jones were killed in the attack on London Bridge on November 29
‘We have lost Jack. Jack can’t speak for himself anymore. Had there been no comment in the way that it was made, then I wouldn’t have said anything.
‘I would have just carried on grieving and helping to support my family.
Usman Khan, strapped in a fake suicide vest, went on a stabbing rampage last month
‘I think the way that it happened and the fact that it was used in such a political way, and I could see the good work that Jack did and that his colleagues did starting to perhaps unravel, it was important that somebody said something.
‘And that just happened to be me. And obviously my son’s been killed, people are going to listen to me.’
A statement on the GoFundMe page to raise funds for Jack’s funeral said: ‘Jack was proud. Jack was absorbingly intelligent. Jack was fiercely loyal.
‘Jack loved music, art, eating good food with his family, and having more than one pint with his mates.
‘And on that point we, his friends and family, are going to throw one hell of a celebration for him. Because my god, did that boy know how to party.
‘We are raising money for a celebration of Jack’s life. All the things he loved – for his closest friends and family. We will keep costs to a minimum.
‘Services will be provided free or discounted where possible. All additional money will be donated to Jack’s legacy. This is not the end, this is a beginning.’
More than 700 donors have raised funds for a celebration of Mr Merritt’s life on GoFundMe
It has since been revealed that Mr Merritt was killed in the toilets of Fishmongers’ Hall after confronting Khan.
Khan, strapped in a fake suicide vest, then continued his stabbing rampage out on the streets before his reign of terror was ended on London Bridge.
Olley Talibudeen wrote on the fundraiser: ‘Jack was incredibly kind and well mannered. The life of the party and super handsome. He will never been forgotten.’
Vicki Harrison added: ‘We live near Cambridge and were out as a family at a local coffee shop when two ladies on the table next to us, first heard the devastating news when it broke, that Jack was one of the victims.
‘They knew Jack well and it was heartbreaking to see them come to terms with the news. Rest in peace Jack.’
Damian Leeson wrote: ‘Jack represents the positive, brave approach to inclusion which this country is losing rapidly and I admired very much what he bravely did.’
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