Boris Johnson 'yet to speak' to father of London Bridge terror victim Jack Merritt

Boris Johnson has admitted he is yet to speak to the father of Jack Merritt, one of the London Bridge terror attack victims.

The Prime Minister blamed Labour for the early release of convicted terrorist Usman Khan, who killed 25-year-old Jack and 23-year-old Saskia Jones in a rampage of terror at Fishmongers’ Hall last month.

David Merritt accused Mr Johnson of trying to make “political capital” out of the tragedy after he claimed Khan, who was freed halfway through a 16-year jail sentence, was released because of a "leftie government".

Cambridge graduate Merritt, aged 25, was course co-ordinator for Learning Together, a prison rehabilitation programme. He was holding a conference near London Bridge when Khan, an invitee, fatally stabbed him and Ms Jones and injuring three others.

Immediately after the attack, his grieving father tweeted: "Jack would not wish his death to be used as the pretext for more draconian sentences or for detaining people unnecessarily.”

Asked on Sunday if he has spoken to Mr Merritt, the Prime Minister replied: "No, but I have every sympathy with the families of both Jack and Saskia, who lost their lives at London Bridge in the attack by Usman Khan.”

Speaking to ITV News London, he added: "What I would say, with great respect, is that I stick to my position, which is that actually I don't think its sensible for people who are convicted of crimes of terrorism such as Usman Khan to be out automatically on early release.

"I said that long before the event took place - I said it in August."

Pressed on whether he would call Mr Merritt, Mr Johnson replied: "With great respect, I will keep my contacts with families of victims private, if that's alright.

Previously writing in the Guardian, Mr Merritt said Jack would be "livid" if he could comment on “his death, and his life, being used to perpetuate an agenda of hate”.

Mr Merritt later accused the Prime Minister of lying during the BBC Election Debate with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, saying Mr Johnson was taking people "for a ride".

When discussing security in the debate Mr Johnson said the automatic release of offenders like

Khan was "wrong", and blamed sentencing laws under Tony Blair’s Labour premiership.

But Mr Merritt defended a rehabilitative approach to justice on Twitter, writing: "If prisoners have engaged with rehabilitation and turned their lives around, why should they be punished for what Khan did?"

Additional reporting by PA Media.