2019, days after the 2019 London Bridge stabbing, Bloom tweeted in response to pleas from the father of one victim, Jack Merritt, that politicians not use his son's death for political gains: "As I understand it your son died because he believed early release for jihadists was justified because they could be rehabilitated Society is demanding these releases stop immediately A very pragmatic view, nothing vile about it. Grieve silently is my advice" References External links Profile on European Parliament website 1949 births Military personnel from London Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies Living people MEPs for England 2004–2009 MEPs for England 2009–2014 UK Independence Party MEPs UK Independence Party parliamentary candidates People educated at St Olave's Grammar School Royal Corps of Transport officers Royal Logistic Corps officers British Eurosceptics