The unofficial shrine to murdered soldier Lee Rigby has been removed by a local council because it is ‘unsightly’.
Flags, flowers and banners occupied the spot opposite the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich where Fusilier Rigby was killed by Islamic terrorists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale in May 2013.
But Greenwich Council removed them yesterday because local residents had complained they looked ‘weathered and worn’.
Flags, flowers and banners occupied the spot opposite the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich where Fusilier Rigby was killed in May 2013 (file photo)
The authority said: ‘The unofficial memorial to Fusilier Lee Rigby was removed on 17 January following requests from local residents and we are also aware of the fact there is a nearby school whose pupils have to walk past this every morning and every evening.
‘We are acting now because the number of items has expanded significantly in recent months and any have been weathered, worn and look unsightly.’
But the decision drew immediate anger on Twitter, where one user wrote: ‘Wrong on many levels. You show so much contempt to the British people.
‘Disgraceful. Have you no shame? Maybe all memorials should be removed, if that’s your stance.’
Another wrote: ‘Seriously! A man whom gave his life for his country for his beliefs, savagely murdered for his country, and all you do is remove it! How about keeping it tidy?’
The memorial was vandalised twice last year, including a teddy bear left by Fusilier Rigby’s son Jack being thrown away and other flags being damaged as they were ripped off the railings.
Organiser Danny Taylor said he would replace the items that had been taken away. Only last week, he launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds to redevelop the site.
Greenwich Council said official memorials to the murdered soldier would remain, adding: ‘There is a memorial plaque in nearby St George’s Chapel and a book of remembrance at Woolwich Town Hall, along with an online version.
The memorial was vandalised twice last year. It is pictured here following an attack in May 2017
Organiser Danny Taylor said he would replace the items that had been taken away. Only last week, he launched a GoFundMe page (pictured) to raise funds to redevelop the site
‘The council has spoken to Lee’s widow and mother ahead of the removal to make them aware, and they are sympathetic. We have also consulted with the Army and Police.
‘The items were removed carefully and packed away for the family to collect if they wish.
‘The brutal murder of Lee Rigby will be remember by all of us; he remains in our hearts and minds.’
The decision also drew ire among locals. Keith Bowels, 54, said: ‘It’s absolutely disgraceful.
Fusilier Rigby – a drummer with the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers – was killed outside his barracks in Woolwich, south-east London, in May 2013
‘When it first happened the council were talking about doing a memorial but now they have brushed it under the carpet.
‘Lee Rigby fought for our country, he was walking along the road minding his own business and then they attacked him.
‘The least he deserves is a permanent memorial, it should never have been taken down.’
Janet Guy, 46, said: ‘It’s degrading, they just shrugged off the idea of a permanent memorial and now they want to get rid of people’s memory of him.’
Therese Collins, 57, said: ‘I think a proper plaque would be a good idea, with his name or a bust of his face so there is a constant reminder of what happened.
‘The flags and the banners were okay but something more permanent is needed.
‘I don’t know why the council would say it was unsightly, you have to pay your respects.’
Another resident, who refused to be named, said: ‘I don’t think the memorial should have been taken down but there were people who were leaving things there that supported the National Front or whatever.
‘It caused a lot of problems so I think removing it is probably for the best.
‘He should be remember in a different kind of way that doesn’t pit races against each other.’
Lee Rigby’s killers Michael Adebolajo (left) and Michael Adebowale (right) pictured in undated police handout photos
Guy Gould, 39, said: ‘Because of what happened to him and because he was a solider just doing his job, he should be remembered for what happened in a permanent respectful memorial.’
Jenny Hill, 51, is part of a local group called 5 Wishes who installed a plaque against the council’s wishes several years ago, was furious to hear that the banners and flags had been removed.
The plaque, which reads ‘In loving memory and tribute to a true hero, Lee Rigby’ is all that is left of the makeshift memorial as well as a flag of St George and the Union Jack.
Ms Hill said: ‘It is terrible, it is wrong, I am not happy about that at all.
‘The 5 Wishes group have done so much for the Lee Rigby memorial and Ian Hawke who runs it personally installed the plaque.
‘It should never have happened in the first place, but the council should not have gone against the will of the people to remove the flags.
‘It’s selfish of the council just to think of themselves just because they don’t like it.
Justin, 43, who lives in nearby Sidcup, said: ‘Who are Greenwich Council to say the memorial is unsightly, that is not very fair.
‘A permanent memorial is a bit of a stretch but I think he definitely deserves something, he needs to be remembered.’
Clare Williams, 54, said: ‘It is down to the council to make a permanent memorial just for Lee Rigby, maybe they could fence it off so people can properly pay respect.
‘When you walk passed it should remind everybody here, something needs to be there.’
Fanalia St. Luce, 74, said: ‘I feel for him it was an awful thing they did.
‘I dare not think of what was going through the heads of those guys, there should be a permanent plaque that his children can go and look at.
‘He was a leader, he was serving the community and in a way he was protecting us.
‘The council have no right to go and take down a memorial to something people feel strongly about.’