Boris Johnson today paid tribute to the spirit of London on the 15th anniversary of the 7/7 attacks as a city “stronger than any hate-filled ideology”.
The terror attacks on three London Underground trains and a double-decker bus in 2005 claimed the lives of 52 victims, with more than 700 people were injured.
In a special video message, the Prime Minister said he was reminded of the way diverse communities in the capital came together in the hours and days afterwards.
“Because when this city was attacked by those who sought to divide us, London responded with the simple truth that whoever you are, wherever you are from, whatever the colour of your skin or the name of the god you worship, if you choose to come to London and make your life here then you are a Londoner,” he said.
“And when you really need it, when you think you can’t go on, when you have been knocked down and can’t get back on your feet, then this city and its people will extend a hand and hold a total stranger close as if they were family.
“That is the kind of city London is, those are the kind of people Londoners are.”
The video was made by campaigners representing families of the victims and survivors because coronavirus prevented the annual gathering of those affected by the attack.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick and London Mayor Sadiq Khan laid wreaths at the 7/7 memorial in Hyde Park at 8.50am today - the time the first bomb went off.
A message on the wreath laid by Mr Khan said: “Fifteen years have passed, but the 52 innocent people who lost their lives on 7/7 remain in our hearts.
“Those who seek to divide our communities and destroy our way of life will never, ever succeed.”
A second group, including London Fire Brigade Commissioner Andy Roe and London Ambulance Service chief executive Garrett Emmerson, laid wreaths at 9.47am - when the bomb on the bus exploded in Tavistock Square.
A separate virtual service for the families and survivors was being held in the afternoon.
