THERE has been an enormous outpouring of sadness and a sense of outrage following the murder of Alan Henning and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this terrible time.

Alan was a selfless man, who last December joined an aid convoy from Bolton to help those in need in Syria. A true humanitarian who made this world a better place — he will not be forgotten.

We saw this at the weekend as communities across Bolton came together to condemn this shocking crime and pay tribute to a man who devoted himself to others regardless of their background, race or religion.

While it is difficult to see anything good come out of this, one thing is clear. The people of Bolton share the same sense of devastation and outrage and we stand together in solidarity and respect for the work Alan did.

That this barbaric act could be claimed to be in the name of religion is obscene and people of all faiths, and none, will abhor this brutal act of cowardice.

In the end, while this has shocked the world and is particularly felt here in Bolton and across Greater Manchester, it is of course a deeply personal and private matter for Alan’s family.

What they are going through is unimaginable. They have lost a father, a husband, a loved one, and our thoughts will remain with them as they struggle to come to terms what has happened.

Alan Henning will not be forgotten — he made a difference to people’s lives and, while the world is now a little darker, his commitment to the cause of humanity will last longer and burn brighter than the supposed cause of the evil men who took his life.

  • Tony Lloyd is the police and crime commissioner for Greater Manchester