The son of the vehicle-hire firm boss whose van was used in a terrorist attack in Finsbury Park has been arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred.

Richard Gear Evans was taken into custody after allegedly writing in a Facebook post: “It’s my dad’s company, I don’t get involved. It’s a shame they don’t hire out a steam rollers or tanks, could have done a good job then [sic].”

South Wales Police said he had subsequently been released without charge following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Evans was responding to messages of support following the attack on pedestrians leaving midnight prayers during Ramadan. The comments and account profile appear to have since been deleted.

London residents bring flowers in solidarity with Finsbury Park Mosque after attack

Mr Evans claims to be a freight movements director for logistics company Eddie Stobart.

Police said a 37-year-old man was held on suspicion of displaying threatening, abusive, insulting written material with intent that is likely to stir up racial hatred.

Lee Evans, the father of Richard Evans, who runs Pontyclun Van Hire in the Rhondda Valley said: “I want to condemn in the strongest possible terms these ill-considered ... comments, which in no way reflect my own view or indeed those of anyone else in the family.

”The attack in Finsbury Park was shocking and cowardly. Together with all the staff at Pontyclun Van Hire, I am doing everything I can to assist the Metropolitan Police in their inquiries."

Finsbury Park attack Show all 14 1 /14 Finsbury Park attack Finsbury Park attack Police officers attend to the scene after a vehicle collided with pedestrians in the Finsbury Park, killing one person and injuring eight Reuters Finsbury Park attack The incident is being treated as a potential terror attack Reuters Finsbury Park attack A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder Reuters Finsbury Park attack Police cordon off a street in Finsbury Park AFP/Getty Images Finsbury Park attack A man prays in the street after the attack Reuters Finsbury Park attack Men gather and pray together in the street in the aftermath of the attack AFP/Getty Finsbury Park attack Reuters Finsbury Park attack PA Finsbury Park attack Onlookers gather near a police cordon EPA Finsbury Park attack Forensic investigators arrive at the scene PA Finsbury Park attack A forensic tent stands next to a van PA Finsbury Park attack A police officer talks with residents AFP/Getty Images Finsbury Park attack Onlookers watch proceedings at the security cordon AFP/Getty Finsbury Park attack Local residents react at the scene AFP/Getty Images

One man died and 11 people were injured when a white van was driven into a crowd of worshippers in north London at around 12.30 on Monday morning.

Police arrested 47-year-old Darren Osborne at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and alleged terror offences.

The Met’s counter terrorism unit has been given an extension until Saturday to question Mr Osborne.

A spokesperson for Eddie Stobart Logistics said: “We can confirm that we are aware of the reprehensible remarks made by Richard Gear Evans on social media.