A police investigation has revealed that Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, who detonated a homemade bomb outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital, harboured a grievance against the British state due to the rejection of his asylum claim. The incident, which occurred just before 11 am on November 14, 2021, resulted in Al Swealmeen’s death but miraculously allowed the taxi driver, David Perry, to escape.
The explosive device, constructed by Al Swealmeen, was detonated while he was inside a taxi parked outside the hospital. Hospital CCTV footage captured the terrifying moment as the blast propelled ball bearings through the vehicle, causing significant damage. The front windscreen was forced out and traveled 16 meters, hitting a tree, and the hospital building’s windows were damaged.
Detective Superintendent Andy Meeks of Counter Terrorism Policing North West stated during a briefing that it was believed Al Swealmeen intended to enter the hospital and detonate the device. However, the explosion occurred earlier than planned. Meeks emphasised that there was no evidence suggesting the involvement of anyone else in the attack.
Contrary to initial concerns, the police report revealed no evidence that Al Swealmeen held extremist views. Detective Superintendent Meeks stated, “It seems most likely that Al Swealmeen’s grievance against the British state for failing to accept his asylum claim compounded his mental ill health which in turn fed that grievance and ultimately a combination of those factors led him to undertake the attack.”
Born in Iraq, Al Swealmeen went to considerable lengths to stay in the UK, including converting to Christianity, though doubts surrounded the authenticity of his conversion. The investigation highlighted his mental ill health, worsened by factors such as the failed asylum claim and the absence of protective factors, like close family.
The police report concluded that Al Swealmeen “took precautions to conceal his true intentions,” leaving investigators with uncertainties about the motives behind the attack.
