This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-59317136

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Liverpool bomber had been planning attack since April Liverpool bomber had been planning attack since April
(32 minutes later)
Emad Al Swealmeen (on right in light grey jacket) during a service at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral, alongside the bishop Right Reverend Cyril AshtonEmad Al Swealmeen (on right in light grey jacket) during a service at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral, alongside the bishop Right Reverend Cyril Ashton
Liverpool bomber Emad Al Swealmeen began making purchases for his attack in April, counter-terror police have said.Liverpool bomber Emad Al Swealmeen began making purchases for his attack in April, counter-terror police have said.
Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said the 32-year-old asylum seeker, who was born in Iraq, had rented a property in the city seven months ago. Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said the 32-year-old asylum seeker, who was born in Iraq, rented a property in the city seven months ago.
Al Swealmeen had suffered from periods of mental illness which will "form part of the investigation", he added.Al Swealmeen had suffered from periods of mental illness which will "form part of the investigation", he added.
A post-mortem found he died from injuries caused by explosion. A post-mortem found he died from injuries caused by the explosion.
Al Swealmeen was a passenger in a taxi when his homemade device exploded outside Liverpool Women's Hospital shortly before 11:00 GMT on Remembrance Sunday. Christian convert Al Swealmeen was a passenger in a taxi when his homemade device exploded outside Liverpool Women's Hospital shortly before 11:00 GMT on Remembrance Sunday.
The incident has been declared a terrorist attack and the UK terror threat level has since been raised from substantial to severe, meaning an attack is "highly likely". The driver David Perry escaped seconds before his car was engulfed in flames and has since been discharged from hospital.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the UK terror threat level had been raised from "substantial" to "severe", meaning an attack is "highly likely", because the explosion in Liverpool was the second incident in a month.
Converts not abusing asylum system, says Church
Liverpool explosion: What we know so farLiverpool explosion: What we know so far
Bomber was refused permission for asylum appealBomber was refused permission for asylum appeal
Suspect seemed genuine Christian - church worker
Mr Jackson, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: "A complex picture is emerging over the purchases of the component parts of the device, we know that Al Swealmeen rented the property from April this year and we believe relevant purchases have been made at least since that time.Mr Jackson, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: "A complex picture is emerging over the purchases of the component parts of the device, we know that Al Swealmeen rented the property from April this year and we believe relevant purchases have been made at least since that time.
"We have now traced a next of kin for Al Swealmeen who has informed us that he was born in Iraq.""We have now traced a next of kin for Al Swealmeen who has informed us that he was born in Iraq."
He said police were "not finding any link to others in the Merseyside area of concern but this remains a fast moving investigation and as more becomes known we cannot rule out action against others".He said police were "not finding any link to others in the Merseyside area of concern but this remains a fast moving investigation and as more becomes known we cannot rule out action against others".
This video can not be playedThis video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Watch: The cab pulled up outside Liverpool Women's Hospital and exploded into flamesWatch: The cab pulled up outside Liverpool Women's Hospital and exploded into flames
Mr Jackson also said Al Swealmeen had suffered from periods of mental illness and that will "form part of the investigation and will take some time to fully understand".
"We continue to appeal for people who knew him, especially those who associated with him this year as we try and piece together the events leading up to this incident and the reasons for it," he said.
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services, said Al Swealmeen had received treatment in the past but was not under their care at the time of the explosion.Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services, said Al Swealmeen had received treatment in the past but was not under their care at the time of the explosion.
Police said he had lived at a property in Sutcliffe Street, in the Kensington area of Liverpool, for some time and began renting a property in Rutland Avenue, near Sefton Park, in April.Police said he had lived at a property in Sutcliffe Street, in the Kensington area of Liverpool, for some time and began renting a property in Rutland Avenue, near Sefton Park, in April.
Mr Jackson said "significant items" had been recovered from the Rutland Avenue address, where searches have been taking place since Sunday.Mr Jackson said "significant items" had been recovered from the Rutland Avenue address, where searches have been taking place since Sunday.
"We continue to appeal for people who knew him, especially those who associated with him this year as we try and piece together the events leading up to this incident and the reasons for it," he added.
On Monday evening, police released without charge four men who had been arrested under terrorism laws in connection with the attack.
Emad Al Swealmeen was born in Iraq, police have revealedEmad Al Swealmeen was born in Iraq, police have revealed
The BBC has confirmed Al Swealmeen made a legal attempt to gain permission to stay in the UK, but it was rejected without being considered in court.The BBC has confirmed Al Swealmeen made a legal attempt to gain permission to stay in the UK, but it was rejected without being considered in court.
Malcolm Hitchcott, a Christian activist in Liverpool, said he and his wife offered Al Swealmeen a place to stay for eight months in 2017 after he told them he had lost his case and was destitute.Malcolm Hitchcott, a Christian activist in Liverpool, said he and his wife offered Al Swealmeen a place to stay for eight months in 2017 after he told them he had lost his case and was destitute.
"He really had a passion about Jesus that I wish many Christians had, and he was ready to learn," Mr Hitchcott told BBC Radio Merseyside. "He was absolutely genuine, as far as I could tell. I was in no doubt by the time that he left us at the end of that eight months that he was a Christian," Mr Hitchcott told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"He was absolutely genuine, as far as I could tell. I was in no doubt by the time that he left us at the end of that eight months that he was a Christian." Al Swealmeen was baptised at Liverpool Cathedral in 2015 and confirmed in 2017 but the Diocese of Liverpool's communications director, Stuart Haynes, said they lost contact with him in 2018.
The Right Reverend Cyril Ashton, the bishop who confirmed Al Swealmeen, said he was "shocked and saddened" by the bombing.
"His confirmation was one of hundreds I have conducted as a bishop so I have no specific recollection of the individual," he said.
The homemade device exploded in a taxi outside Liverpool Women's Hospital
The Reverend Mike Hindley said Al Swealmeen was involved in the Emmanuel Church in the Fazakerley area of Liverpool from 2017 to 2019, when they lost touch with him.
He said Al Swealmeen "never made a secret" of the fact he had mental health problems, but he did not go into great detail about them with him.
A spokesman for the City of Liverpool College said Al Swealmeen was an adult cake decorating student at the college during the 2018-2019 academic year.
Joy Gambardella, a lay reader at Emmanuel Church, said he loved baking cakes and making pizza.
"He used to make cakes for the church and sell them," she said.