Woman who was dubbed the 'Angel of Woolwich' for confronting Lee Rigby's Muslim killers is detained under Mental Health Act three days after 'race rant at Tesco pharmacist'

Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, 49, comforted Lee Rigby as he lay dying last May

Was praised by Prime Minister David Cameron for her actions in Woolwich



Last Friday 'told black Tesco pharmacist to work in Nigeria not England'



On Monday police detained her under Mental Health Act, reports claim

No one has been arrested and the investigation is currently ongoing



A woman dubbed the 'Angel of Woolwich' for confronting Lee Rigby's two killers has been detained under the Mental Health Act after allegedly racially abusing a shop worker.



Ingrid Loyau-Kennett was praised by Prime Minister David Cameron for her actions outside Woolwich barracks in May last year.



But today it emerged the 49-year-old has been detained three days after an alleged race row and released into the care of the NHS.

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'Detained': Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, who comforted Lee Rigby after his brutal attack last May, has allegedly been detained under the Mental Health Act after reports that she racially abused a black Tesco pharmacist three days before

Investigation: The Tesco in Helston, Cornwall, has admitted to being aware of the alleged incident last Friday

Police are investigating claims she was escorted from a Tesco in Helston, Cornwall, after a row with a black pharmacist last Friday.



It is claimed she told the man he should not be allowed in England and should be working in Nigeria.

Victim: Ingrid Loyau-Kennett was praised by David Cameron for her actions when Lee Rigby was killed in May last year



Tesco is said to have handed over CCTV footage to Devon and Cornwall Police.

Now reports state that on Monday she was detained under the Mental Health Act.

A spokesperson for Tesco said: 'We are aware of an incident which took place at our Helston store on Friday.

'Colleagues at the store are helping the police with their inquiries.'

Police have only stated that inquiries are ongoing following an allegation of verbal racial abuse at the store. No one has been arrested or spoken to.

Police were called to the Bulwark Estate at around lunchtime on Monday, over concerns for the welfare of a woman - believed to be Ms Loyau-Kennet.

Officers have not confirmed that the two incidents are linked or involve Ms Loyau-Kennett.

A spokesman said only: 'Following [Monday’s] incident a 49-year-old woman from Helston has been detained under the Mental Health Act to the Royal Cornwall Hospital and released into the care of the NHS.'

Ms Loyau-Kennett came in for national praise last May, after being among the first on the scene following the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in a Woolwich street.

His killers, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, have since been jailed over the killing.

Half-French Ms Loyau-Kennett, who has lived in Helston for six years and hopes to find work as a translator for a humanitarian organisation, had been returning home after a visit to the capital to see her children, Basil and Pawony Baradaran, when the drama unfolded.

The former cub scout and brownie leader reasoned with the men, attempting to calm the situation until police arrived.

'Angel': Ms Loyau-Kennett was praised for confronting Fusilier Rigby's killers at this moment outside Woolwich barracks in London

Ms Loyau-Kennett became a national hero and last October received a Pride of Britain award for bravery, although she was unable to be honoured at the televised ceremony due to reporting restrictions in place at the time.

She was also awarded a Special Certificate of Exceptional Endeavour at the Cornish Gorsedh in Penryn last autumn.

However, locally she has been in dispute with neighbours after distributing leaflets calling on them to voice opposition to a £36,000 play park scheme in Bulwark Road; it has since been built.

Helston police were forced to step up patrols in the area following complaints of anti-social behaviour in Bulwark and Albion Road.