ISIS claims responsibility for London Bridge attack and says terrorist was one of its fighters

ISIS last night claimed responsibility for the London Bridge attack and says the terrorist was one of its fighters.

Usman Khan stabbed two people to death while wearing a fake suicide jacket on a horrifying rampage in central London.

Khan, from Staffordshire, brandished two knives and threatened to blow up Fishmongers' Hall - where he was attending a conference on prisoner rehabilitation on Friday.

He was then chased out and tackled to the floor by a group of heroes before armed police shot him dead.

The terror organisation's news agency has now announced Khan was one of its fighters.

Khan, 28, was jailed for eight years in 2012 after police uncovered a plot by his nine-strong terror cell to bomb the London Stock Exchange and build a terrorist training camp.

"ISIS" ATTACK

He was released towards the end of his sentence in December last year.

The revelation by the terror cell comes after a former classmate revealed he had seen the terrorist preaching with ISIS flags on the streets months after leaving school.

British authorities have cast doubt on the claims over lack of evidence.

The judge presiding over Khan's earlier case said the group's action showed a "serious, long-term venture into terrorism" and could have resulted atrocities across the UK.

It also emerged today that Khan was taught by Islam4UK's leader Anjem Choudary.

Six of the nine plotters jailed with him were personally taught by the notorious hate preacher.

As questions surfaced over Khan's early release, the Parole Board said in a statement they had "no involvement" - and that the terrorist appeared "to have been released automatically on licence (as required by law), without ever being referred to the Board".

'AUTOMATIC RELEASE'

In response to the revelations, Boris Johnson said it was a "mistake" to allow Khan out early.

Mr Johnson, who has pledged a crackdown on violent crime, said: "It is important we get out of that habit and enforce the appropriate sentences for dangerous criminals, especially for terrorists."

Yesterday, killer Khan was a guest at "Learning Together", a Cambridge University event that pairs students and inmates, when he launched the sickening attack.

Those in the Grade II listed building said he entered the main hall and went on a rampage, attacking anyone who crossed his path, just before 2pm.

He then made his way on to London Bridge - the scene of the 2017 terror attack which killed eight - but was eventually pinned down by heroes who tackled him with a fire extinguisher and a whale tusk.

A man, Jack Merritt, and a woman were killed in the attack while three other people - a man and two women - remain in hospital in a stable condition.