Press Statement on Reports Concerning Adel Habib

By British Embassy Cairo

The British Embassy in Cairo is closely following reports concerning Adel Habib and is working with the Egyptian government in London and Cairo.

The Metropolitan Police have made the following statement:

Detectives are investigating a fatal fire in Ealing. Police were called at approximately 00:55hrs on Monday, 25 April to reports of a fire at a residential property in Cranleigh Gardens, Southall. Officers, London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service attended the scene.

A 21-year-old man was rescued from the property by LFB. He was taken to a specialist burns hospital in Essex where he was pronounced dead. Next of kin have been informed. Formal identification and a post-mortem examination will be held in due course. There are no reports of any other persons injured.

Detectives from Ealing are investigating. Enquiries into the circumstances continue. A man in 20s was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He has been bailed to a date in mid-June pending further enquiries.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 020 8721 7070 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Embassy spokesperson said:

The British Embassy in Cairo is following this case closely. We express our sincere condolences to the family of the victim.

The Metropolitan Police are now working quickly to determine the circumstances of this man's death. The UK government will be in close contact with the MFA and the Egyptian consulate in London today to receive and respond to any specific requests from the Egyptian authorities and the family.

Further information about the investigation will remain a matter for the Metropolitan Police, under the requirements of UK law and the approach necessary to maximise the chances of achieving justice in the courts in this case.