Woolwich aftermath: David Cameron pledges to battle radicalisation which 'perverts and warps Islam,' but 'neither will we stand for' English Defence League

PM also sends 'deepest condolences to the friends and family of Drummer Lee Rigby'

David Cameron has told the House of Commons that the Government will do more to battle radicalisation (PA)

David Cameron has told the House of Commons that the Government will do more to battle radicalisation which "perverts and warps Islam," in the wake of Drummer Lee Rigby's murder, as well as rejecting the response of the English Defence League.

The Prime Minister said: "I'm sure the whole house will join me in sending our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Drummer Lee Rigby.

"What happened on the streets of Woolwich shocked and sickened us all. It was a despicable attack on a British soldier who stood for our country and our way of life."

Drummer Rigby, 25, was hacked to death near Woolwich Barracks in south east London as he returned to base on May 22.

The attack heightened tensions across the country, with a rise in Islamophobic attacks and clashes over the weekend between anti-fascist demonstrators and British National Party members.

The Prime Minister said: "To tackle the threat of extremism, we must understand its root causes. Those who carried out this callous and abhorrent crime sought to justify their actions by extremist ideology that perverts and warps Islam to create a culture of victimhood and justify violence."

He added: "Just as we will not stand for those who pervert Islam to preach extremism, neither will we stand for groups like the English Defence League, who try to demonise Islam and stoke up anti-Muslim hatred by bringing disorder and violence to our towns and cities."

Updating the house on the anti-radicalisation taskforce, a Downing Street spokesman said the group, which includes many senior cabinet ministers, will focus on radical preachers who target potential recruits in jails, schools, colleges and mosques.

Mr Cameron said: "We will not be cowed by terror and terrorists who seek to divide us will only make us stronger and more united in our resolve to defeat them.

"The police and security services will not rest until they've brought all of those responsible to justice."

He added that as well as the two men charged with murder, 10 further arrests were made as part of the investigation. Two women were released without charge and eight men were released on bail.

Earlier Michael Adebolajo, 28, of Romford, Essex, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with the murder, while Michael Adebowale, 22, facing the same charge, appeared via videolink at the Old Bailey.