The family of a “gentle, caring man” killed in the Westminster terror attack expressed anger today at his untimely death.

Leslie Rhodes, 75, died when Kent-born Khalid Masood drove a rental car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge on March 22. The attack claimed the lives of three other victims.

A retired window cleaner, Mr Rhodes was on the way to a hospital appointment at the time.

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Leslie 

Speaking from Mr Rhodes' home in Macaulay Road, Clapham, ahead of his funeral this afternoon, his niece Amanda Rhodes, 52, spoke about how he had been a “father figure” to her and her siblings.

Amanda’s father died when she was eight, leaving her mother a 28-year-old widow with four young children.

She said: “When my dad died, Les sort of took over and was a father figure to us. 

“That’s how I remember him, when he used to come over and help my mum. He was so kind and gentle. He was also very shy.”

With regard to Masood, anger is the predominate emotion among family members.

Amanda said: “I wish he was alive. I wish he didn’t get shot because I’d like to get into a car, get behind the wheel, run him down and see him go up in the air. And then I’d spit on him.

“It was too easy for him - that’s what he wanted. Why shouldn’t he be here suffering like all the families are suffering now? He was a coward.”

Amanda’s mum and Mr Rhodes' sister-in-law Carol Carney, 72, said he was a “gentle, caring man” and it “wasn’t fair” how he died.

After her husband Brian passed away at 34, she said: “Les was always at my house helping me with the children, buying them treats. He always, always took me to the cemetery.”

Since his untimely death, the family have been approached by many people whose lives were touched by Leslie over the years.

Amanda said: “He’s got loads of friends from 20, 30 years ago. Hopefully they’ll all turn up today.”

The funeral is being held at North East Surrey Crematorium in Morden this afternoon.