Olly Murs says he is regularly ridiculed over his tweets during the alert

Police have rubbished claims by Olly Murs that there could have been a cover-up after reports of gunfire in central London sparked a terror alert last November.

The singer posted a series of tweets in which he claimed to have heard gunfire from inside Selfridges department store on Black Friday, and was widely mocked after a police investigation found no evidence of weapons or, as some suspected, a terror attack.

However, in an interview with The Sun on Monday, the 33-year-old insisted there was something "murky" about the incident.

He said: "I ran into an office after being told by the staff of Selfridges that someone was there with a gun. Whether they were shooting into the air, or whatever, something happened that day - whether it was covered up, I don't know."

Image: Armed police were called to reports of gunfire on Oxford Street

Really not sure what’s happened! I’m in the back office... but people screaming and running towards exits! — Olly Murs (@ollyofficial) November 24, 2017

British Transport Police (BTP), who were first to respond to rumours of a serious incident in London's West End, have since insisted there was no gunfire.

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In a statement, the force said: "This caused a significant level of panic which resulted in numerous calls from members of the public reporting gunfire.

Image: There was confusion about what had happened amid rumours of gunshots

I’m safe and in hotel with loads of people! So many different stories flying around just hope everyone is safe 🙏🏻 — Olly Murs (@ollyofficial) November 24, 2017

"A full and methodical search of the station and Oxford Street was conducted by our specially trained firearms officers.

"During the search, officers did not find any evidence of gunfire at the station."

It is understood that the rumours began after a scuffle on a platform at nearby Oxford Circus underground station prompted a stampede that left 16 people injured.

Oh stick a cork in it @ollyofficial, for goodness sake...

NOBODY. FIRED. A. GUN. https://t.co/HxCtl7tDAs — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 9, 2018

Murs said he continues to receive abuse for his reaction to the terror alert, telling The Sun: "I get mocked every day on Twitter. Someone always has a little dig.

"Well, next time you're in Selfridges and that happens to you, I'll message you and say 'How was that? How do you feel now? You're not Mr Brave now are you?'"

I believe Olly — Lil Yellin (@lilyallen) April 9, 2018

Piers Morgan was among those who criticised Murs for his tweets at the time, warning the singer to be careful what he posted to his 8.4m followers.

Commenting on Murs' interview on Monday, Morgan tweeted: "Oh stick a cork in it @ollyofficial, for goodness sake... NOBODY. FIRED. A. GUN. "

Of course you do. 🙈🙈 https://t.co/AUu0Rm30FD — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 9, 2018

However, fellow singer Lily Allen supported Murs, posting:"I believe Olly."

That prompted another response from Mr Morgan, who replied: "Of course you do."</s>The British Transport Police have shut down Olly Murs' claims that there was gunfire during a panicked incident on Oxford Street in London back in 2017, stating that they are "adamant" that there was no gunfire. Olly, who had been shopping at Selfridges at the time, sent several tweets claiming that there had been gunshots,and has recently opened up about the event, hinting at a cover-up. Chatting to the Sun, he said: "I ran into an office after being told by the staff of Selfridges that someone was there with a gun. Whether they were shooting into the air or whatever, something happened that day - whether it was covered up, I don't know."

He admitted that he is teased about the incident on social media, adding: "Well, next time you're in Selfridges and that happens to you, I'll message you and say, 'How was that? How do you feel now? You're not Mr Brave now, are you?' If I'd done it and someone had been shooting, you'd all be sitting here now going, 'You know what, Olly, you've done well.'" Piers Morgan was also among those to shut down Olly's claims. Sharing his interview on Facebook, he wrote: "Oh stick a cork in it @ollyofficial, for goodness sake... NOBODY. FIRED. A. GUN."

READ: Susanna Reid responds to Ben Shephard's attempt to set her up with Olly Murs

BTP released a statement which confirmed there had been an incident, but there was no gunfire. It read: "This caused a significant level of panic which resulted in numerous calls from members of the public reporting gunfire. Officers responded in line with our procedures of a terrorist incident, this included armed officers from British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police. A full and methodical search of the station and Oxford Street was conducted by our specially trained firearms officers. During the search, officers did not find any evidence of gunfire at the station… We understand that incidents like this cause panic and concern. We would therefore like to thank Londoners for their patience during this incident."</s>Police have rubbished claims by Olly Murs that there could have been a cover-up after reports of gunfire in central London sparked a terror alert last November.

The singer posted a series of tweets in which he claimed to have heard gunfire from inside Selfridges department store on Black Friday, and was widely mocked after a police investigation found no evidence of weapons or, as some suspected, a terror attack.

However, in an interview with The Sun on Monday, the 33-year-old insisted there was something "murky" about the incident.

He said: "I ran into an office after being told by the staff of Selfridges that someone was there with a gun. Whether they were shooting into the air, or whatever, something happened that day - whether it was covered up, I don't know."

British Transport Police (BTP), who were first to respond to rumours of a serious incident in London's West End, have since insisted there was no gunfire.

In a statement, the force said: "This caused a significant level of panic which resulted in numerous calls from members of the public reporting gunfire.

"A full and methodical search of the station and Oxford Street was conducted by our specially trained firearms officers.

"During the search, officers did not find any evidence of gunfire at the station."

It is understood that the rumours began after a scuffle on a platform at nearby Oxford Circus underground station prompted a stampede that left 16 people injured.

Murs said he continues to receive abuse for his reaction to the terror alert, telling The Sun: "I get mocked every day on Twitter. Someone always has a little dig.

"Well, next time you're in Selfridges and that happens to you, I'll message you and say 'How was that? How do you feel now? You're not Mr Brave now are you?'"

Piers Morgan was among those who criticised Murs for his tweets at the time, warning the singer to be careful what he posted to his 8.4m followers.

Commenting on Murs' interview on Monday, Morgan tweeted: "Oh stick a cork in it @ollyofficial, for goodness sake... NOBODY. FIRED. A. GUN. "

That prompted another response from Mr Morgan, who replied: "Of course you do."</s>Cops have hit back at Olly Murs after he insisted "something happened" on the day of the Black Friday stampede in London, and hinted there must have been a cover-up.

The Heart Skips A Beat singer was roundly mocked on November 24 2017 when his string of panicky tweets sent from inside a locked office in Selfridges went viral.

A fight at the nearby tube station had spilled out on to the street above, causing terrified tourists and Londoners to stampede as rumours about a potential terror attack spread like wildfire.

And Olly was criticised for telling his seven million followers that there were "gunshots" inside the posh department store.

"F*** everyone get out of Selfridges now gun shots!! I'm inside," he'd tweeted at the time. "Evacuating store now!!! F*** heart is pounding."

However, a police investigation found no evidence for the gunfire claims.

In a new interview, however, Olly isn't giving up.

"Whether they were shooting into the air, or whatever, something happened that day. Whether it was covered up, I don't know," he told the Sun this week.

"I ran for my life thinking, 'Someone's upstairs shooting.' The noise of people screaming, it was terrifying."

But cops from the British Transport Police have insisted there is absolutely no base to his claims.

"This caused a significant level of panic which resulted in numerous calls from members of the public reporting gunfire," said a spokesperson for the force.

"Officers responded in line with our procedures of a terrorist incident, this included armed officers from British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police.

"A full and methodical search of the station and Oxford Street was conducted by our specially trained firearms officers. During the search, officers did not find any evidence of gunfire at the station."

The BTP went on: "During the station evacuation, one woman is believed to have sustained a minor injury.

"We understand that incidents like this cause panic and concern. We would therefore like to thank Londoners for their patience during this incident."

Meanwhile, Olly - branded a 'Troublemaker' over his panicky tweets - has had backup from a surprising ally.

Lily Allen tweeted this morning three simple words that should ease the singer's conscience: "I believe Olly."</s>Olly Murs has broken his silence after being caught up in the terror attack false alarm in London last year

The singer was mercilessly mocked after tweeting about hearing 'gun shots' at Oxford Circus during the panic on Black Friday last November.

The suspected attack turned out to be a false alarm - but The Voice judge insists shots WERE fired, and even hinted at a cover-up.

He told The Sun : "Something happened that day. Whether it was covered up, I don’t know."

Murs, 33, tweeted to his eight million followers: "F*** everyone get out of Selfridges now gun shots!! I'm inside."

Posting from the scene, Olly followed up with, "Evacuating store now!!! F*** heart is pounding."

The tweets sparked panic and hysteria amongst his fans and Twitter users, but when the scare turned out to be a false alarm, he was trolled for his dramatic rection .

A Twitter spat developed between the two as Olly defended his actions.

"Listen piers! I was shopping and then all of sudden the whole place went mad, I mean crazy people running & screaming towards exits.

"We found a small office to hide to which loads of staff and people were saying there was shots fired. If you was there you’d have understood mate."

He added: "It’s easy to say now it was nothing but in a state of shock and panic I was trying to make people aware of what was happening. Which I was lend to believe by staff and customers that someone was shooting."

He told The Sun: “I ran into an office after being told by the staff of Selfridges that someone was there with a gun.

"Whether they were shooting into the air, or whatever, something happened that day — whether it was covered up, I don’t know."

Reiterating his suggestion of a cover-up, he added: "It’s all a bit murky."

Terrorism fears gripped Oxford Street on November 24 last years after reports of gunfire, with armed police ordering shoppers inside.

Tube stations were closed and rush-hour traffic became gridlocked in Central London during the panic.

Teams of armed police swamped the station and surrounding streets amid conflicting reports about what had happened.

Nine people were injured as they rushed out of the busy Oxford Circus tube station - but investigators have since ruled no weapons were fired.

A Transport for London (TfL) document leaked to the BBC revealed that the report of a gunshot prompted the evacuation, but said there were differing reports on what had going on, which caused widespread confusion.

British Transport Police said commuters "self-evacuated" from Oxford Circus station after reports of shots.

Met Police received numerous calls at 4.40pm after being called to reports of gunfire at Oxford Circus station. By 6pm the force's response stood down.</s>Olly Murs has hit out at critics who slammed him for saying gun shots were fired in central London despite police insisting they weren't.

The singer, 33, was caught up in the confusion when shoppers ran for their lives outside Oxford Circus Tube station on November 24 last year.

Reports of an alleged terror attack saw Black Friday shoppers trapped inside stores while armed police patrolled the scene on one of the busiest shopping nights of the year.

Mr Murs was inside Selfridges department store, nearly half a mile away, when the chaos unfolded.

He tweeted to his 8.4million followers: 'F*** everyone get out of Selfridges now, gun shots! I'm inside.'

But just over an hour later British Transport Police declared there was no evidence of a terror attack.

He has faced repeated criticism for his tweet, after 16 people were injured in the stampede.

But six months later he insists something 'murky' was going on that night and has even hinted at a cover up.

He told The Sun: 'Something happened that day. Whether it was covered up, I don't know.'

The 33-year-old was buying a massage chair as a Christmas present when he claims store managers announced there was a suspicious incident unfolding.

He says an employee told him and 20 others that were crammed into a backroom that they saw 'a man in the beauty aisle with a gun'.

The Voice judge says he did not hear the gunshots himself, but decided to tweet about it when he heard the employee's report.

He added: 'I ran for my life thinking 'Someone's upstairs shooting.' The noise of people screaming, it was terrifying.'

Police eventually said two men were involved in an altercation, which could have caused the panic.

Witnesses said the two men 'bumped' into each other before 'several punches' were thrown on the westbound platform at Oxford Circus.

But despite Mr Murs being the other end of the street near Bond Street Tube, he is adamant something more happened.

The Metropolitan Police has been approached for further comment.

He also hit out at the 'unfair' response to his tweet, which is still ridiculed on social media.

Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan accused him of being irresponsible with his post.

The singer responded: 'If you was there you'd have understood mate.'

But Mr Morgan insisted: 'When you have millions of followers be very careful what you tweet.

'There were no shots, in fact nothing happened at all. So you stirred extra needless panic.'

Mr Murs hit back again: 'Your comments are unfair. It's easy to say now it was nothing but in a state of shock and panic I was trying to make people aware.'

But Mr Morgan replied: 'Leave it to the police next time. You could have put people in more danger.'

While Mr Murs admits you 'have to be careful what you say' on Twitter, he stands by his actions.

He told the newspaper he still gets unpleasant comments about that day, but has also been humbled by other witnesses' support.

In a statement after the incident was stood down, police said: '[Officers] would now like to speak to these two people in the CCTV images, who they believe may have information about the incident and the circumstances around the incident.

'They would also like to speak to anyone who was at the station or in the area at the time and saw or heard anything that would have caused mass evacuation.'

Chief Superintendent Martin Fry added: 'Thank you to everyone for bearing with us this evening and also to colleagues from all the emergency services who helped carry out a swift response.

'Our officers, alongside those from the MPS, reacted quickly and responded professionally in line with our well prepared plans.

'I know incidents like these can cause concern, but our officers are highly visible around the network and across the country so if you ever need us please call us on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016.'</s>Olly Murs has spoken out for the first time since the terror scare on London’s Oxford Street last November, insisting that gun shots were fired and even hinting at a possible cover-up.

The singer was ridiculed after he sent a series of panicked tweets from inside Selfridges saying that there had been “gun shots” and telling everyone to “get out of Selfridges now”.

However, a statement from the Met Police at the time said: “No casualties, evidence of any shots fired or any suspects were located by police.”
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Murs has now broken his silence on the subject, telling The Sun: “Whether they were shooting into the air, or whatever, something happened that day. Whether it was covered up, I don’t know.”

Murs explained that he had been in the department store buying his aunt a massage chair when shoppers descended into a mass panic.

“One minute I’m sitting there and this guy’s saying, ‘If you press this button you get a massage’ — the next I’m getting thrown against a wall,” he said.

“And then there’s people screaming and running towards exits and I’m thinking, ‘What the f***?’

“I ran for my life thinking, ‘Someone’s upstairs shooting.’ The noise of people screaming, it was terrifying.”

Murs and a group of shoppers hid in a back office, where people told him they had heard gun shots being fired.

“The manager was in there, other senior people,” he said. “This woman said, ‘Someone was up there shooting, I could see him, in the beauty aisle he had a gun.’

“This girl was saying, ‘Don’t tell me I’m lying, I saw this guy with my own eyes.’ Whether he shot someone or was shooting in the air — well, obviously he didn’t shoot anyone — but someone saw something.”

Murs, who was publicly accused of being irresponsible by Piers Morgan at the time, revealed that he is still mocked on Twitter every day.

The Met Police’s full statement at the time said: “At 4:38pm police started to receive numerous 999 calls within a short space of time reporting shots fired in a number of locations on Oxford Street and at Oxford Circus underground station.

“Given the nature of the information received, the Met responded in line with our existing operation as if the incident was terrorism, including the deployment of armed officers.

“Officers working with colleagues from British Transport Police carried out an urgent search of the area. No casualties, evidence of any shots fired or any suspects were located by police.”</s>Singer Lily Allen has backed Olly Murs over his claims that there was a 'cover up' during the Black Friday terror false alarm.

Allen tweeted her support for Olly after he insisted shots were fired during the panic in central London that left 16 injured.

But British Transport Police have rubbished his claims in a statement saying they 'did not find any evidence of any gunfire' following their investigation.

Olly was mocked after tweeting in a panic from London's Selfridges to say guns were going off On November 24 last year.

It is understood that the rumours began after a scuffle on the Tube sparked a case of 'chinese whispers'.

In a statement today British Transport Police said: 'This caused a significant level of panic which resulted in numerous calls from members of the public reporting gunfire.

'Officers responded in line with our procedures of a terrorist incident, this included armed officers from British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police.

'A full and methodical search of the station and Oxford Street was conducted by our specially trained firearms officers. During the search, officers did not find any evidence of gunfire at the station.

'During the station evacuation, one woman is believed to have sustained a minor injury.

'We understand that incidents like this cause panic and concern.'

But the singer insisted in an interview: 'Something happened that day. Whether it was covered up, I don't know.'

The ridiculed star hinted at a cover-up over the terror false alarm by saying: 'It's all a bit murky.'

The singer, 33, was caught up in the confusion when shoppers ran for their lives outside Oxford Circus Tube station.

Reports of an alleged terror attack saw Black Friday shoppers trapped inside stores while armed police patrolled the scene on one of the busiest shopping nights of the year.

Mr Murs was inside Selfridges department store, nearly half a mile away, when the chaos unfolded.

He tweeted to his 8.4million followers: 'F*** everyone get out of Selfridges now, gun shots! I'm inside.'

But just over an hour later British Transport Police declared there was no evidence of a terror attack.

He has faced repeated criticism for his tweet, after 16 people were injured in the stampede.

The 33-year-old was buying a massage chair as a Christmas present when he claims store managers announced there was a suspicious incident unfolding.

He says an employee told him and 20 others that were crammed into a backroom that they saw 'a man in the beauty aisle with a gun'.

The Voice judge says he did not hear the gunshots himself, but decided to tweet about it when he heard the employee's report.

He added: 'I ran for my life thinking 'Someone's upstairs shooting.' The noise of people screaming, it was terrifying.'

Police eventually said two men were involved in an altercation, which could have caused the panic.

Witnesses said the two men 'bumped' into each other before 'several punches' were thrown on the westbound platform at Oxford Circus.

But despite Mr Murs being the other end of the street near Bond Street Tube, he is adamant something more happened.

He also hit out at the 'unfair' response to his tweet, which is still ridiculed on social media.

Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan accused him of being irresponsible with his post.

The singer responded: 'If you was there you'd have understood mate.'

But Mr Morgan insisted: 'When you have millions of followers be very careful what you tweet.

'There were no shots, in fact nothing happened at all. So you stirred extra needless panic.'

Mr Murs hit back again: 'Your comments are unfair. It's easy to say now it was nothing but in a state of shock and panic I was trying to make people aware.'

But Mr Morgan replied: 'Leave it to the police next time. You could have put people in more danger.'

While Mr Murs admits you 'have to be careful what you say' on Twitter, he stands by his actions.

He told the newspaper he still gets unpleasant comments about that day, but has also been humbled by other witnesses' support.

In a statement after the incident was stood down, police said: '[Officers] would now like to speak to these two people in the CCTV images, who they believe may have information about the incident and the circumstances around the incident.

'They would also like to speak to anyone who was at the station or in the area at the time and saw or heard anything that would have caused mass evacuation.'

Chief Superintendent Martin Fry added: 'Thank you to everyone for bearing with us this evening and also to colleagues from all the emergency services who helped carry out a swift response.

'Our officers, alongside those from the MPS, reacted quickly and responded professionally in line with our well prepared plans.

'I know incidents like these can cause concern, but our officers are highly visible around the network and across the country so if you ever need us please call us on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016.'</s>Despite being ridiculed for his suggestion that shots were fired inside the London branch of Selfridges last November, pop star Olly Murs has now suggested there was more to the Oxford Circus terror scare than met the eye.

“I ran into an office after being told by the staff of Selfridges that someone was there with a gun,” he told the Sun. “Whether they were shooting into the air or whatever, something happened that day – whether it was covered up, I don’t know.”

Murs was purchasing a present on 24 November 2017 when shoppers began fleeing the area, leading to the deployment of armed police and a section of London’s West End being evacuated. The musician posted several tweets saying that he and other shoppers were hiding in the store’s back office.

Police later said that an altercation between two men inside Oxford Circus tube station just after 4.30pm appeared to have triggered the panic – along with a heightened atmosphere following attacks in London and Manchester. The Met police said there was “no evidence of shots fired or casualties”.

Murs, however, claims that a Selfridges staff member and other customers told him that someone had a gun (Selfridges subsequently tweeted that no incident had taken place). Murs said he continued to receive daily ridicule over his claims. “Well, next time you’re in Selfridges and that happens to you, I’ll message you and say, ‘How was that? How do you feel now? You’re not Mr Brave now, are you?’” said Murs.

“If I’d done it and someone had been shooting, you’d all be sitting here now going, ‘You know what, Olly, you’ve done well.’”

Murs was a judge on the latest series of ITV’s The Voice, which concluded on 8 April with 18-year-old Ruti Olajugbagbe crowned the winner.</s>Olly Murs has shared his thoughts on the terror scare at Oxford Circus last year, insisting that shots were fired and hinting at a possible cover-up. At the time of the incident, the Voice star was accused of spreading fear and panic as he posted a series of tweets from inside Selfridges. It came after reports of a terror attack at Oxford Circus tube station involving a gun, which sent Black Friday shoppers running for their lives. Police later established that the attack rumours were sparked by a fight between two men at the tube station. However, Olly has now stood by his claims that shots were fired that day.

Olly Murs has spoken about the Oxford Circus terror attack scare last November

He told the Sun: "I ran into an office after being told by the staff of Selfridges that someone was there with a gun. Whether they were shooting into the air, or whatever, something happened that day – whether it was covered up, I don't know." The Troublemaker star said he was in the office with around 20 people, and said one woman claimed to have seen a man with a gun. He continued: "Whether he shot someone or was shooting in the air – well, obviously he didn't shoot anyone – but someone saw something."

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Olly, 33, came under fire after the incident, with Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan amongst those accusing him of being irresponsible. ‘Stop tweeting mate @ollyofficial. Nothing happened," he wrote. Olly replied: "Listen Piers! I was shopping and then all of a sudden the whole place went mad, I mean crazy people running & screaming towards exits. We found a small office to hide to which loads of staff and people were saying there was shots fired. Of you was there you'd have understood mate." Piers then responded, writing: "When you have millions of followers be very careful what you tweet. There were no shots, in fact nothing happened at all. So you stirred extra needless panic by tweeting false information. Leave it to the police next time. It’s not your place to tell people to evacuate or say (wrongly) that shots were fired. You could have put people in more danger."

The Troublemaker star came under fire from Piers Morgan following the incident

At the time, a Met Police spokesman said: "At 4.38pm police started to receive numerous 999 calls within a short space of time reporting shots fired in a number of locations on Oxford Street and at Oxford Circus underground station. Given the nature of the information received, the Met responded in line with our existing operation as if the incident was terrorism, including the deployment of armed officers. Officers working with colleagues from British Transport Police carried out an urgent search of the area. No causalities, evidence of any shots fired or any suspects were located by police."

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The British Transport Police reject claims by entertainer Olly Murs of a cover-up of a possible terror incident in London in November. Murs reported hearing gunfire but investigations found no evidence of weapons use.