Man charged with Drummer Lee Rigby murder

Drummer Lee Rigby was stabbed to death in a street attack in south-east London
A man has been charged with the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in south-east London last week, police have said.

Michael Adebowale, 22, of Greenwich, London, has been remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday morning.

A second man, Michael Adebolajo, 28, remains under arrest at a London hospital.

Drummer Rigby, 25, was stabbed to death in a street attack in Woolwich on Wednesday 22 May.

Mr Adebowale, who was discharged from hospital on Tuesday, has also been charged with possession of a firearm.

Sue Hemming, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter-terrorism Division, said: "Crown Prosecutors have been working with the investigators of Counter Terrorism Command since the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby on 22 May.

"Following the release of Michael Adebowale from hospital, we have authorised the police to charge him with the murder of Drummer Rigby.

"We have also authorised police to charge him with possession of a firearm, contrary to section 16A of the Firearms Act 1968.

"There is sufficient evidence to prosecute Michael Adebowale and it is in the public interest to do so. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow, Thursday 30 May."

The CPS said it was continuing to advise police over other suspects arrested during the investigation into Drummer Rigby's death.

A post-mortem examination found that the soldier died of "multiple incised wounds".

The finding was issued as police made a fresh appeal for information following the incident.

Scotland Yard said the inquest into Drummer Rigby's death will open at Southwark Coroner's Court on Friday.

A minute's silence was held in Woolwich just before 14:20 BST on Wednesday - exactly a week after the event - followed by spontaneous applause.

Drummer Rigby's fiancee Aimee West said she was "devastated by the loss".