The father of Jack Merritt, one of the two victims of the London Bridge attack, has paid tribute to his "inspirational" son on social media.
David Merritt said that Jack was a "beautiful spirit" who "lived his beliefs" and that he was learning new things about his son through the tributes paid to him online.
Writing on Twitter on Saturday, Mr Merritt said: "My son, Jack, who was killed in this attack, would not wish his death to be used as the pretext for more draconian sentences or for detaining people unnecessarily.
"R.I.P Jack: you were a beautiful spirit who always took the side of the underdog."
Jack, 25, from Cambridge, was the course coordinator of the Cambridge University Learning Together prison rehabilitation programme.
Thousands of people have posted tributes to him online, including Mercury Prize-winning rapper Dave, who wrote: "Rest in peace brother. One of the most painful things. Jack Merritt was the best guy.
"Dedicated his life to helping others, was genuinely an honour to have met someone like you and everything you've done for us. I'll never ever forget."
A vigil was also held in Cambridge on Saturday to mark the incident.
Mr Merritt said that he was overwhelmed by the messages of condolence and appreciation.
It’s not lenient policies that are to blame, it’s the destruction of the probation service that is supposed to monitor and supervise prisoners after release, & rehabilitation services. Since 2010 these serviceA have been cut to the bone. We are all less safe as a result.
— David Merritt (@butwhatifitsall) November 30, 2019
"Your kind words mean so much to us," he said.
"Jack lived his beliefs He held me to a high standard; he would have expected me to say this, and would have pulled me up had I not!
"He was an exceptional young man, and I'm only finding out the half of it now he's gone."
"I don't feel inspirational, but Jack was," he added.
