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Bravery of PC Keith Palmer honoured by friends, colleagues and MPs Bravery of PC Keith Palmer honoured by friends, colleagues and MPs
(about 2 hours later)
Friends, colleagues and MPs have paid tribute to Keith Palmer, the policeman who was stabbed to death as he guarded the Palace of Westminster from a terrorist. Theresa May has led tributes to Keith Palmer, the “hero” policeman who was stabbed to death as he guarded the Palace of Westminster from a terrorist on Wednesday afternoon.
Palmer, 48, was a member of the Met’s parliamentary and diplomatic protection command with 15 years of service as a police officer. The married father, believed to have been a member of the Royal Artillery before he joined the police, was unarmed when the lone attacker came charging towards him on Wednesday afternoon. PC Palmer, 48, was a member of the Met’s parliamentary and diplomatic protection command with 15 years of service as an officer. The married father, believed to have been a member of the Royal Artillery before he joined the police, was unarmed when the lone attacker came charging towards him wielding a large knife.
On Thursday, MPs in Westminster observed a minute’s silence in Palmer’s honour. The tribute occurred at 9.33am in honour of his shoulder number - 933. Addressing MPs in the House of Commons on Thursday morning, the prime minister paid tribute to Palmer’s service and said: “He was every inch a hero, and his actions will never be forgotten.”
Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday morning, Theresa May paid tribute to PC Palmer’s service and said: “He was every inch a hero, and his actions will never be forgotten.” She praised the police for stopping the attacker. “We should be clear first of all that an attacker attempted to break into Parliament and was shot dead within 20 yards of the gate. If his intention was to gain access to this building, we should be clear that he did not succeed. The police heroically did their job.”
Conservative MP James Cleverly, who served alongside Palmer in the army, paid tribute to the “lovely man” he had known for a quarter of a century. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also paid tribute to Keith Palmer and to the police and security services who “keep us safe every day” on the Parliamentary estate. “I express my condolences to the family and friends of police officer Keith Palmer who gave his life yesterday in defence of the public and of our democracy,” Corbyn said.
“I’ve known Keith for 25 years. We served together in the Royal Artillery before he became a copper,” Cleverly wrote. “A lovely man, a friend. I’m heartbroken. My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of PC Keith Palmer. A brave man.” “We especially pay tribute to the bravery of those who took action to stop the perpetrator of yesterday’s assault.
Three people were killed and 29 others taken to hospital after the terrorist indiscriminately drove a Hyundai 4x4 into people on Westminster Bridge before trying to storm parliament. “When dangerous and violent incidents take place, we all instinctively run away from them, for our own safety. The police and emergency services run towards them. We are grateful for the public service yesterday, today and every day that they pull on their uniforms to protect us all.”
The vehicle sped up towards the Palace of Westminster, careered off the road on to the pavement and came to a halt against railings to the north of New Palace Yard, metres away from Big Ben and opposite an entrance to Westminster tube station. The attacker then tried to storm parliament with a knife and Palmer, who was guarding the palace, was fatally stabbed. Moments afterwards, the attacker, dressed in black, was shot by another armed officer and died of his injuries. Earlier on Thursday, MPs in Westminster observed a minute’s silence in Palmer’s honour. The tribute occurred at 9.33am in honour of his shoulder number - 933. House speaker John Bercow later confirmed to MPs that books of condolence would be placed in the library of the House and also in Westminster Hall.
Among the others who paid tribute to Palmer was Conservative MP James Cleverly, who served alongside the PC in the army. Cleverly told the Commons Palmer was a “strong, professional public servant” and said that “it was a delight to meet him here again”. He asked whether the PM would consider recognising his gallantry and sacrifice formally with a posthumous recognition.
Cleverly also wrote on Twitter: “I’ve known Keith for 25 years. We served together in the Royal Artillery before he became a copper. A lovely man, a friend. I’m heartbroken. My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of PC Keith Palmer. A brave man.”
The Met’s head of counter-terrorism, Mark Rowley, said the motivation of the attacker was assumed to be “Islamist-related” and that he had tried to enter parliament but had been stopped. Rowley said Palmer “was someone who left for work expecting to return home at the end of his shift, and he had every right to expect that would happen”.The Met’s head of counter-terrorism, Mark Rowley, said the motivation of the attacker was assumed to be “Islamist-related” and that he had tried to enter parliament but had been stopped. Rowley said Palmer “was someone who left for work expecting to return home at the end of his shift, and he had every right to expect that would happen”.
Explaining why Palmer was unarmed, Rowley said: “Our parliamentary protection team are a combination of armed and unarmed officers doing different roles and sadly the officer who lost his life today was unarmed. He was supported by armed colleagues, who shot and killed the attacker.”Explaining why Palmer was unarmed, Rowley said: “Our parliamentary protection team are a combination of armed and unarmed officers doing different roles and sadly the officer who lost his life today was unarmed. He was supported by armed colleagues, who shot and killed the attacker.”
Ken Marsh, the chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: “This incident sadly shows the dangers our colleagues face on a daily basis. They show incredible bravery protecting the public.”
On Thursday a woman who said she was a former colleague of Palmer’s, who gave her name as Nina, relayed the story of how he had once rescued her in a car accident. “I did know him very well, he saved my life in fact,” she told LBC. “So I just wanted to ring up to let everyone know what a wonderful man he was.On Thursday a woman who said she was a former colleague of Palmer’s, who gave her name as Nina, relayed the story of how he had once rescued her in a car accident. “I did know him very well, he saved my life in fact,” she told LBC. “So I just wanted to ring up to let everyone know what a wonderful man he was.
“He actually did save my life in a car accident on duty when I was a police officer in 2007… I owe him everything.“He actually did save my life in a car accident on duty when I was a police officer in 2007… I owe him everything.
“He was a wonderful dad and a wonderful husband to his wife. He was fun, he was a laugh, he cared. I know everyone, when someone passes, why do they always say he was such a lovely person, but he actually really was. And he cared about what he was doing, he actually cared about his job.”“He was a wonderful dad and a wonderful husband to his wife. He was fun, he was a laugh, he cared. I know everyone, when someone passes, why do they always say he was such a lovely person, but he actually really was. And he cared about what he was doing, he actually cared about his job.”
Politicians from all sides of the House of Commons also hailed the bravery of the man who died protecting them. The home affairs select committee chair, Yvette Cooper, who was in parliament when the terrorist attacked, said: “Thank you PC Keith Palmer – to your bravery many others owe their lives and safety.” The two members of the public who died include a man in his mid-50s and a woman in her 40s, who has been named as Spanish teacher and mother of two Aysha Frade. Of the 29 people being treated in hospital, seven are in a critical condition. Many more are believed to be walking wounded.
Barry Gardiner, a Labour MP who was caught up in the lockdown and posted a picture of armed police moving through parliament, tweeted: “Going to bed alive, safe and well thanks to PC Keith Palmer. God bless him, his family and all those killed or injured. Terror will not win.” May said those injured in the attack included 12 Britons, three French children, two Romanians, four South Koreans, two Greeks, and one each from Germany, Poland, Ireland, China, Italy and the United States.
The Conservative MP Geoffrey Cox wrote: “Deeply sad that a brave PC, Keith Palmer, died in the service of his country, doing his duty today. We should be proud to know such men.” Three police officers were also hurt, two of them seriously. The officers were returning from an event to recognise their bravery.
MP Chi Onwurah tweeted: “As I left parliament a police officer apologised for keeping us waiting. Cannot overstate courage & grace of those who protect us. Thank you.”
The two members of the public who died include a man in his mid-50s and a woman in her 40s, according to the Met. Of the 29 people being treated in hospital, seven are in a critical condition. Many more are believed to be walking wounded.