Murdered soldier Lee Rigby will be honoured in Woolwich after council u-turn

Greenwich council have announced that murdered fusilier Lee Rigby will be honoured by name in a plaque. Council chiefs had initially refused to create a commemorative site for Mr. Rigby, who was butchered to death in broad daylight as he walked on Woolwich street.

The council had initially agreed on a memorial that would "commemorate all those servicemen and woman who have served or lived in Woolwich and who have given their lives" but had refused to recognise the murdered soldier by name. The decision sparked outrage and prompted a campaign spearheaded by Mr. Rigby's mother Lyn.

In light of public reaction the council has now made a u-turn on their earlier decision and will honour Lee Rigby's sacrifice.

Councillor Denise Hyland, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: "Since the appalling murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby on our streets, the Council has been working with his wife Rebecca, his mother Lyn, other family members and local community leaders to reach agreement on a way to commemorate him, in addition to others that have been killed as a result of conflict.

"The Council recognises that this is an emotive issue for many people. Ever since I became Leader of the Council, I have ensured an open dialogue with Lee's family. I have taken stock of their views, as well of those of community leaders.

"As a result I have decided that we will ensure that Lee is named on a memorial plaque, as will be the case for other victims killed in recent conflict. This will allow his family to commemorate his life and his connection with Woolwich from where he served his country."

According to The Mirror, Lyn Rigby reacted to the news saying: "I am so grateful to all the people who signed the petition. This means so much to me and my family because we want to make sure Lee is not forgotten. I don't want him to be forgotten," she said. "I think a plaque or some fitting tribute for where Lee died."

Earlier this year, a memorial was unveiled in Mr Rigby's hometown of Crumpsall, in Greater Manchester. Speaking at the ceremony, Colonel Mike Glover, regimental secretary of the Lancashire Fusiliers, said: "As a nation, as a member of his family, as a friend or a fellow Fusilier it is important we do not forget the sacrifice of Lee and those who served the Crown."

"All too often as time passes we close our eyes, forget the faces, forget the names, forget the stories. But this magnificent memorial will ensure we never forget."

Islamic extremists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale were jailed for a minimum of 45 years each for the murder of Lee Rigby. The pair were also accused of attempting to murder a police officer and conspiracy to murder a police officer

Rigby, 25, joined the army in 2006 and was deployed in Afghanistan, Germany and Cyprus. He was a drummer of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.