Counter terror police 'assisting with inquiries' but Nottingham stabbings 'not being treated as terrorist attack' - Suella Braverman

Suella Braverman has made a statement in the House of Commons on the fatal attacks in Nottingham that left three people dead. The home secretary confirmed that counter terror police are assisting with inquiries but this "does not mean that it is currently being treated as a terrorist attack".

It comes as Ian Coates was named as the third victim and tributes continued to flood in for the two teenage students named last night who were also fatally stabbed.

Academy site manager Mr Coates, who worked as part of LEAD Academy Trust, was described by Huntingdon Academy and Warren Academy’s executive headteacher as “a much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile".

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University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar were also killed in the attacks in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Nottinghamshire Police said a 31-year-old man was tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder after the pair were stabbed to death in Ilkeston Road at about 4am.

Mr Coates was then found fatally knifed in Magdala Road before the suspect is believed to have stolen his van and driven at pedestrians in Milton Street. Three people were injured in the van attack, with one in a critical condition in hospital and two suffering minor injuries.

In a statement today, Ms Braverman said: “I can tell the House that the police are working flat out to establish the full facts and provide support to everyone affected. They are currently keeping an open mind as to the motives behind these attacks but I can confirm Nottinghamshire Police are being assisted in their inquiries by counter terror police. Though, this does not mean that it is currently being treated as a