The explosion outside Liverpool Women's Hospital on Remembrance Sunday has been declared a terror attack. Counter-terrorism police believe the deceased suspect to be 32-year-old Emad al-Swealmeen, who died after a homemade device detonated in a taxi.
The national terror threat level has been raised from substantial to severe, meaning another attack is highly likely. Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged vigilance but said the British people would not be cowed. The home secretary, Priti Patel, announced the change in threat level.
The taxi driver, David Perry, survived with serious injuries and was released from hospital on Monday. Police are investigating possible links to nearby Remembrance events, as the explosion occurred shortly before 11am. Four men arrested in the Kensington area were later released without charge.
Al-Swealmeen is not previously known to MI5. He had reportedly converted to Christianity from Islam and had Syrian and Iraqi heritage. Police recovered significant items from addresses in Rutland Avenue and Sutcliffe Street in Liverpool. Inquiries into his immigration status and time at an asylum seeker hostel are ongoing.
