Boris Johnson moves to quell anger over Egyptian student's death in Nottingham

Boris Johnson on Friday attempted to calm a brewing diplomatic row over the death of an Egyptian student as footage emerged of her attack.

Mariam Moustafa, 18, was punched several times and dragged 20 metres by a gang of girls as she waited for a bus in Nottingham city centre.

The group followed her on board and is said to have continued the attack until she lost consciousness.

The incident has sparked outrage in Egypt, where the prosecutor-general requested information about the probe into her death by British officials.

The Egyptian embassy called on those responsible to be "brought to justice swiftly" and said  "the deep concern of the Egyptian public is evident.”

A delegation of parliamentarians is also being sent to the UK.

Her family said her death could have been prevented if police had acted on an earlier assault which they allege left Miss Moustafa hurt and her younger sister with a broken leg.

Questions have also been raised about why she was initially discharged from hospital, despite having a bleed on the brain.

Mr Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, wrote on Twitter: “Deeply saddened by the death of Egyptian national Mariam Moustafa in the UK.

"My condolences to Mariam's loved ones. I have assured Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry that Nottinghamshire Police are investigating the case."

Footage released by Miss Moustafa’s family shows the student at the back of a bus. It appears to show her surrounded as the gang shout at her.

At one point she appears to be hit by someone.

Mohamed Moustafa, her father, has called for "justice" for his daughter, who was "very kind" and "like an angel".

Nottinghamshire Police said there was no information to suggest the death was a hate crime, although investigators were "keeping an open mind".

Amr ElHariry, Miss Mostafa’s uncle, told the Telegraph: “For us it does not matter if it is a hate crime, a racist crime, or a crime for theft. In the end, it is a murder crime.

“They can describe it as they wish but we need to know what is the situation. We want justice to be applied against those who killed her regardless the motive.”

One 17-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm before Miss Moustafa died was bailed pending further investigation following the incident.

Police said several other juveniles had been interviewed.