A photo of Finbar Sullivan released by the police

TRIBUTES were paid to a young filmmaker from Maida Vale after his “senseless killing” at the summit of Primrose Hill.

Finbar Sullivan was testing out a new camera he had got for his 21st birthday in the park before he was stabbed on Monday evening.

His father Chris Sullivan was one of the co-founders of the legendary Wag Club in Soho that became a pioneer of club culture in this country after it opened in Wardour Street in 1982.

The Wag’s current management sent its “sincere condolences” to the family this week, one of hundreds of messages of support from the club’s followers online.

Chris Sullivan – an artist and writer – had penned an article in the Byline Times in 2020 that warned media sensationalism was fuelling knife crime and criticised Conservative governments for slashing funding to youth services since 2010.

“Every young person needs somewhere to hang out that’s safe, where they can do something and speak to someone and get the support they need which they might not get at home,” he wrote in the article that references Finbar’s experiences growing up as a teenager in London.

It added: “Tabloid reporting of knife crime has exacerbated the situation. If you’re a teenager who keeps reading of his peers who carry knives, what are you going to do but carry one? Survival of the fittest or survival of the better armed.

“The newspapers are stoking the fires in order to up their readership, just as press baron William Randolph Hearst did when he promoted the Spanish American War in Cuba in 1898 by fabricating stories of atrocities. This was the beginning of Yellow Journalism and it’s got progressively worse ever since.”

This week Chris Sullivan described his son as “outgoing” and “a loving boy” in brief interviews with the national media.

The scene at Primrose Hill on Tuesday

He told how the family had chipped in to get Finbar a new camera on his recent 21st birthday, and told the Daily Mail on Wednesday: “This is the worst tragedy I could ever imagine. He’s my only son. He can never be replaced.

“I’m so broken-hearted, I can’t believe it. He was the most beautiful, lovely, outgoing, loving boy. He was just a really lovely person. And why he was targeted we have no idea.”

Finbar was a student at the London Screen Academy whose principal Sam Summerson told Extra he was a “kind, thoughtful, and valued member” of the school, and said he had been “a delight to have in class”.

He added: “We are heartbroken by this tragic news and by the loss of such a bright young life.” Finbar “…was a talented young filmmaker with a real passion for the subject, and he was known for his warmth, curiosity and engaging spirit. He made a strong impression on staff and fellow students alike during his time at LSA.”

Finbar was following in the footsteps of his grandfather Michael Seresin who had worked on films like Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban and Rambo III.

Footage of the altercation – in full view of dozens of people enjoying the evening sun – emerged on social media shortly after emergency services were alerted. But as of last night there had been no arrests.

Detective Inspector Andy Griffin, who is leading the investigation, said: “Finbar’s family have suffered a devastating loss and our thoughts are with them as they navigate this very challenging time.

“Our investigation is progressing at pace and we are following several lines of inquiry. This incident occurred in a busy, public park and there may be many witnesses who can help us piece together what happened.

“We are aware of footage circulating on social media around the time of the incident, and urge anyone who has any information, including photos or videos, which could support the investigation to urgently contact us.”