NEW Blackburn Mayor Salim Mulla said he shuddered with shock at a Royal Garden Party when he heard a soldier had been hacked to death by Islamic extremists just 12 miles away.

The Lancashire Council of Mosques chairman was at Buckingham Palace when he learnt of the horrific attack near Woolwich Barracks in South London on Wednesday.

He said the function carried on, with security already tight around the Royal family.

He said: “I found out from my phone while I was at the garden party. I felt a shiver run down my spine when I saw it.

“I was at Buckingham Palace on what should have been one of the best days of my life when this heinous act, which has no part in Islam, took place just a few miles away.

“It was clear that as the news came through it spread round the garden party and as far as the Royal family.

“Security was already very, very tight and it was clear that the Queen did not want to spoil the day for the many people there.

“She and the Royal family behaved very professionally with the news of this disgraceful incident in the back of their minds so everybody enjoyed the garden party.

“Only two days before I was meeting our brave soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment at their homecoming parade in Burnley. Then this disgraceful crime takes place.

“I am shocked and horrified. This was just appalling.”

The Blackburn Diocese and the Lancashire Council of Mosques issued a joint statement from the Bishop of Burnley and Acting Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev John Goddard, and Coun Mulla.

It said: “The Diocese of Blackburn and the Lancashire Council of Mosques meet as the Anglican/Muslim Forum to promote peace and understanding between congregations of the Anglican church and the Islamic faith in Lancashire. The terrible murder of the soldier in London requires us all to work even harder in the cause of peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the soldier.

Pendle Tory MP Andrew Stephenson said: “This was a shocking, terrifying and appalling crime.

“I think that everyone in East Lancashire will share my revulsion. We must never give in to terrorism, whoever is responsible.”

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle said: “This attack was terrible, absolutely terrible.

“I was at the parade for the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment in Burnley town centre and the streets were lined with people of all faiths and communities applauding our soldiers.”

Blackburn MP and former Home Secretary Jack Straw said: “It is the unspeakable and gratuitous barbarity which is so shocking. “This is terrorism perpetrated by criminals but disguised in the name of Islam.”

Coun Mulla and his wife Sayeeda met the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker-Bowles at the garden party which was attended by the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton.

Tribute to terror victim soldier

The victim of the terrorist murder in Woolwich has been named as father-of-one Lee Rigby.

Drummer Rigby, 25, from Crumpsall, Manchester, was from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, attached to the Regimental Recruiting Team in London.

Sergeant Barry Ward said he was “a loving father” to his two-year-old son Jack, and had “a very bubbly character”.

A shocked and tearful neighbour outside the family home, a council house on the Langley estate in Middleton, Greater Manchester, said: “He had always wanted to be in the Army since he was knee-high.”

The woman, who did not want to be named, added: “He was a lovely lad, he lived around here for years and went to Middleton Tech.”

A steady stream of relatives and friends visited the house throughout the day to support the family.

Police and PCSOs also stood guard outside the house and patrolled the street.