The Finsbury Park mosque has condemned the mainstream media for not reporting the attack, in which a van ploughed into worshippers near the building, as an act of terrorism.

‘We are extremely unhappy with the mainstream media not reporting this as a terrorist attack, whereas they are very swift in describing attacks involving individuals professing to be Muslims and acting in the name of Islam.In a statement, the mosque said, ‘This is a callous terrorist attack, which coincides with the murdered MP Jo Cox’s anniversary.

‘We need fair and balanced reporting from the media; it is completely unacceptable that the media chooses to engage in selective reporting.’

The mosque said, ‘The Finsbury Park Mosque condemns in the strongest terms a heinous terrorist attack earlier this morning in Finsbury Park, north London which resulted in many injured and reported fatalities.

‘The van driver deliberately mowed down Muslim men and women leaving late evening prayers from Finsbury Park Mosque and Muslim Welfare House just after midnight.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged people to ‘remain calm and vigilant’.

He said: ‘We don’t yet know the full details, but this was clearly a deliberate attack on innocent Londoners, many of whom were finishing prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.

‘While this appears to be an attack on a particular community, like the terrible attacks in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge it is also an assault on all our shared values of tolerance, freedom and respect.

‘The situation is still unfolding and I urge all Londoners to remain calm and vigilant. Please report anything suspicious to the police, but only call 999 in an emergency.

‘The Met have deployed extra police to reassure communities, especially those observing Ramadan.’

The attacker struck as the area was busy with worshippers who had been attending Ramadan night prayers at the mosque.