Clapham attack – latest: Abdul Ezedi’s workplace raided by armed police in Newcastle

Training for asylum caseworkers in assessing the credibility of a religious conversion is being rolled out, a Home Office minister has said.

Abdul Ezedi is said to have successfully challenged his asylum refusal after converting to Christianity, prompting allegations that asylum-seekers are converting to Christianity to aid their claim and secure leave to remain in the UK.

Tory frontbencher Lord Stewart of Dirleton told peers on Thursday: “All asylum claims are considered carefully on their individual merits, including issues related to freedom of religion and belief, and the credibility of a conversion.

“Additional training is provided to officials who have to assess matters of credibility in relation to this context. That training is being rolled out.

“The Home Office has worked closely with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief and the asylum advocacy group for many years, and have engaged with a wide range of faith groups to assist in training caseworkers.”

Conservative MP Tim Loughton has accused the Church of England of issuing secret guidance for clergy supporting asylum applications and the Archbishop of Canterbury of “scamming” the taxpayer.

The first victim of the suspected Clapham chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi has spoken of her desire to see him caught as the search for the Met’s most wanted enters its seventh day.

Ezedi was accused of grabbing the bottom of a woman without her consent in 2017, as well as committing a sex attack that same year, according to court documents.

The victim told the Sun newspaper Ezedi should not have been allowed to remain in the UK.

She also blasted a church for giving him a reference which reportedly helped him to gain asylum on his third attempt.

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A shopkeeper who spoke to Abdul Ezedi every day has told the Newcastle Chronicle of her shock when she found out he was linked to the Clapham alkaline attack.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “It was really, really shocking when I heard that. He was always a really really kind person.”

The shopkeeper said Ezedi would come into her shop at around 4pm every day before starting his shift at the Big Bite pizza shop nearby.

“He came in here all the time, he came every day before he started work,” the 33-year-old said. “He would just buy pop or Red Bull and biscuits. He liked Jaffa Cakes.”

Friends of the mother left fighting for life after a chemical attack in south London have thanked neighbours who rushed out to save her, as they launched a fundraising appeal to help her family “rebuild their lives”.

The 31-year-old woman, still under sedation in hospital a week after the attack in Clapham, was said to have only wanted to build a safe home for “her beautiful, kind little girls.”

Grace M, who has launched a GoFundMe appeal looking to raise £50,000 for the family, said: “Our friend is first and foremost a devoted and loving mother.

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On Wednesday, a Baptist church in Tyne and Wear confirmed it was aware of a “connection” it had with the suspect.

In a statement, the church in Jarrow said: “Grange Road Baptist Church brings together and welcomes people from all walks of life and from many different nations.

“We are aware of the connection Abdul Shakoor Ezedi has had with our church.

“As soon as we became aware of the current situation, we made contact with and are co-operating with the relevant authorities. We are praying for all those affected by the situation.”

Armed officers raided Best Bite Pizza in Forest Hall, Newcastle where Abdul Ezedi worked, along with another unknown property. No arrests were made.

A spokesperson said:“In the early hours of this morning, Thursday 8 February, armed police executed two warrants in Newcastle at addresses associated with Ezedi, including his place of work. This was a joint operation between Northumbria Police and the Met.

“No arrests were made, enquiries and searches continue.”

MP for Streatham Bell Ribeiro-Addy backed a fundraiser for the alkaline attack victim’s family.

She told The Independent: “It is a wonderful thing they are doing to support their dear friend. With a decline in support and specialist violence against women and girls services, they know all too well how much victims often struggle to rebuild their lives.

“They are determined to make sure the family have all they need as they recover from this horrific attack. When I spoke to friends of the victim they said they’re grateful to local people that assisted them during the attack. All together it shows the great strength of community in our area.”

The Metropolitan Police said two raids were carried out by armed officers at addresses in Newcastle associated with alkali attack suspect Abdul Ezedi in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The force said it was a joint operation with Northumbria Police.

The addresses included Ezedi’s place of work, the Met added.

No arrests were made and inquiries and searches continue, police said.

Darius Nasimi, from the charity the Afghanistan & Central Asian Association, told reporters that Abdul Ezedi should hand himself in a week on from his shocking attack.

He said: “This is a tragic incident for this mother and her two children. Violence against women and girls can not be tolerated.

“I would urge the Afghan community to help the police and provide any information at all about where Ezedi is, who is providing him with accommodation, who is harbouring him and helping him evade capture. You can also speak to our charity and we will help liaise with the police and pass information on if you feel you don’t want to speak to them directly.

“I make a direct appeal to him – hand yourself in. This has been going on for long enough. You need medical attention.

“What has happened in this case should have no reflection on the people of Afghanistan in the UK. This does not represent them.”