Former Tory minister Grant Shapps has disclosed how his heroic father-in-law obstructed Islamic terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie during his assault on a synagogue.

Michael Goldstone can be seen in a picture of Al-Shamie before he was shot dead by armed police seven minutes after the terror unfolded. 

The 79-year-old was present among the congregation at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Thursday, observing Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar.

Al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian heritage, rammed into the synagogue’s gates with his car, injuring a bystander and stabbing several individuals outside, resulting in at least two fatalities.

His innocent victims have been named as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66. They were both members of Manchester’s Jewish community.

As Al-Shamie tried to force his way into the synagogue, Mr Goldstone heroically blocked his path. 

Mr Shapps said: ‘He was face to face with the terrorist, holding the inside of the door, as he tried to break down the front doors.

‘The chap had turned up ten minutes earlier before the car came back and smashed into the security. 

‘They locked the doors when the car crashed into the gate, which prevented more killings.’ 

The former defense secretary informed the Times that, according to his father-in-law, the assailant had surveyed the site ten minutes before returning in a vehicle.

The man had started arguing with synagogue security when they would not allow him on to the site. 

‘He was claiming that it’s a free country and he should be able to walk in the grounds,’ Mr Shapps explained. 

He recounted how the terrorist attempted to forcefully break into the building first by kicking the doors and wielding a knife, then trying to shatter the window using nearby plant pots.

Mr Shapps, speaking on his way to Manchester with his wife Belinda, dubbed the entire attack ‘pretty harrowing’. 

The former MP said they had tried to check if Mr Goldstone, who is from Manchester, was alright but had been unable to reach him. 

It was not until they saw the retired taxi driver on Sky News leaving the synagogue that they knew he was OK. 

The politician said his father-in-law will ‘never ever forget’ facing up to the terrorist.

Sir Stephen Watson, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said: ‘There were a large number of worshippers attending the synagogue at the time of this attack, but thanks to the immediate bravery of security staff and the worshippers inside, as well as the fast response of the police, the attacker was prevented from gaining access.’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer similarly said there was no doubt emergency services and synagogue security ‘prevented an even greater tragedy’. 

‘They are true heroes,’ he said.  

Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was leading the service, is said to have remained calm and led the congregation to safety along with other staff. 

The worship leader, who has been the synagogue’s rabbi since 2008, was later seen outside with blood stains on his robes. 

His wife Esther only heard of the attack when a police officer knocked on her door. 

As she is an Orthodox Jew, she cannot use her phone on holy days like Yom Kippur – so had not spoken to her husband as of Thursday evening. 

She told the Telegraph: ‘I was so relieved but, beyond the fact he’s alive and not hurt, I don’t know anything. 

‘I don’t even know if his parents, who were at synagogue with him, are safe. I’ve heard nothing at all apart from that brief conversation with the police officer.’ 

Rob Kanter, 45, who was in the service, said Mr Walker continued the service across the road after leading them safely out of the building. 

Yom Kippur, meaning day of atonement, sees many Jews attend synagogue all day instead of work and school. 

They pray throughout the day and undertake a day-long fast, reflecting on the past year and asking God’s forgiveness for any sins. 

Mr Kanter felt a ‘sense of shock and disbelief’ that such a holy day, which is normally about community, turned so violent – and it had been ‘a bit of a blur’. 

He said worshippers heard both when police arrived and when shots were fired. 

Officers soon came in and moved them from the main part of the synagogue to the back hall for safety before they were escorted from the premises.

The congregants were then with police for the rest of the day and were taken to a relief centre across the road. 

The rabbi provided as much pastoral support there as he could given the circumstances. 

He also continued the service to the extent they could, amid the multitude of emotions after the horrifying attack.