PRIME Minister David Cameron has praised Bury’s Muslim community for honouring the memory of Drummer Lee Rigby.

Drummer Rigby, who was signed up to the Armed Forces in Bury, died on a busy street in Woolwich, London, on May 22.

Two men have since been charged with murdering the 25-year-old father, from Middleton, and have appeared in court for preliminary hearings.

Mr Cameron gave a speech to Parliament on Monday about the tragic incident, after which he was asked a question by Bury North MP David Nuttall.

Mr Nuttall asked: “Drummer Lee Rigby joined the Army as a cadet in the borough of Bury, which has long and historic links with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

“Will (you) join me in paying tribute to all those in Bury who have paid their respects and sent their condolences to his family, inparticular the peaceful and law-abiding members of the Muslim community in Bury who are just as shocked and horrified at this heinous crime as those of other faiths and those of none?”

Mr Cameron replied: “Mr Nuttall says it all.

“He made an important point about the connection that our communities feel to our Armed Forces, which is felt by people from every community, including the British Muslim community.

“Let us not forget how many British Muslims serve in Britain’s armed forces.”

Afterwards, Mr Nuttall told the Bury Times: “It was a touching and heartfelt answer.

“We in Bury have traditionally had good community relations and it would be a tragedy if an event like this were to spoil that record.

“The fact that we’ve not had any incidents such as riots on the streets in the past as there have been in some towns is a great testament to those community relations.”

North Manor councillor Khalid Hussain is a former director of Bury Racial Equality Council and his grandfather and great grandfather served in the British Military.

He said: “I am pleased with Mr Cameron’s comments.

“I went to the Fuslier Museum in Bury to sign the book of condolence in Drummer Rigby’s memory.

“It was a heinous crime and it was tragic and horrific.

“Anyone who claims to have carried out this crime in the name of a faith can truly have no faith.”

Michael Adebolajo, 28, of Romford, Essex, appeared before Westminster magistrates on Monday and was remanded in custody until a later date.

Michael Adebowale, 22, from Greenwich, London, appeared on the same day at The Old Bailey via video link from prison and was also remanded in custody until a later date.

Neither men have entered a plea.