Report: Webchat Intel Could Have Saved Lee Rigby

The soldier's life might have been saved if an internet firm had revealed details of an online exchange by one of his killers.

The killing of Fusilier Lee Rigby could have been prevented if an internet company had flagged up a graphic message from one of the killers in which he threatened to murder a soldier.

The report, by the Commons Intelligence and Security Committee, accused internet companies of "providing a safe haven for terrorists" because of a continued lack of cooperation with UK authorities.

In a key piece of intelligence, the committee revealed Omilegan Solomon had spoken online of his desire to murder a soldier, but said the conversation only came to light after the attack.

The report revealed: "This was an online exchange in December 2012 between Adebowale and an extremist overseas, in which Adebowale expressed his intent to murder a soldier in the most graphic and emotive manner."

The committee said the exchange was highly significant.

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1. Gallery: CCTV Images: Attack Aftermath
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   Gallery: CCTV Images: Attack Aftermath

"Had MI5 had access to this exchange at the time, Adebowale would have become a top priority. There is then a significant possibility that MI5 would have been able to prevent the attack."

The MPs examined whether the agencies could have discovered this intelligence before the attack, had they had cause to do so.


They concluded that it was highly unlikely and that the one party which could have made a difference was the company on whose system the exchange took place.


But they added: "This company does not regard themselves as under any obligation to ensure that they identify such threats, or to report them to the authorities.


"We find this unacceptable: however unintentionally, they are providing a safe haven for terrorists."