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Woolwich murder: Thousands of tributes pour in to Middleton soldier Lee Rigby, as tenth person arrested

By Glen Keogh

A tenth person has been arrested in connection with the murder of Middleton soldier Lee Rigby who was killed in Woolwich last week.

As police investigations continue into the attack which has shocked the nation, a 50-year-old man was arrested in Welling, south-east London yesterday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

The arrest involved armed officers, however no shots were fired and the man was led away after being stopped at gunpoint.

An address in south-east London was also being searched, police have confirmed.

A 22-year-old man arrested in Highbury, north London, on Sunday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder has been bailed by police.

Suspects Michael Adebolajo – filmed after the murder with bloodied hands, holding a machete and a meat cleaver – and Michael Adebowale, remain in custody in hospital after being shot by police at the scene on Wednesday.

Of the 10 people arrested so far, five have been bailed and two released without charge.

Members of Lee Rigby’s family visited the scene of the murder on Sunday.

Thousands of flowers and tributes have been laid in his memory, and the family left their own flowers at Woolwich barracks, where Mr Rigby was based.

Those of all faiths have paid their respects to the soldier, who was hacked to death in the street while he was believed to have been wearing a Help for Heroes t-shirt.

Islamic well-wishers in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre held banners saying ‘meet a muslim’ yesterday, with other placards spelling out tributes to the Middleton soldier.

However, money raised by English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson in memory of Lee Rigby will not be accepted by the Help for Heroes charity.

A Just Giving website page set up by Robinson was shut down after talks between administrators and the forces charity, who said they couldn’t accept the donations as they are non-political.

Before the site was closed down more than £3,300 had been pledged to the EDL leader.

A Help for Heroes spokesperson said they would not allow the EDL to fundraise for the charity as they do not allow political fundraising of any kind.

Robinson, who was planning a 17-mile sponsored walk from Westminster to the scene of the killing, said he would still complete the challenge.

Even American singer Meatloaf, who played at the Manchester Arena on Saturday, paid tribute to Mr Rigby.

In a heartfelt pledge, he said humanity needs ‘more love and kindness’.

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