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London attack: Theresa May says Westminster assailant was British-born and known to MI5 – live London attack: Theresa May says Westminster assailant was British-born and known to MI5 – live
(35 minutes later)
12.34pm GMT
12:34
Attacker 'not among' top 3,000 on MI5 list
Ewen MacAskill
It has emerged that the attacker - who has still not been named - was not among the 3,000 Britons on MI5’s list of individuals whom they regard as potentially capable of committing an act of domestic terrorism.
May told the Commons he had been on the radar of the security services as a “peripheral figure” so years ago.
Around 3,000 Britons, mainly Islamists, are monitored because police suspect they might be capable of an attack. Of them, 500 are the subject of active investigations and only a limited number of those become the targets of physical surveillance.
The Guardian understands that the attacker was not one of them.
He did not even make the list of 3,000.
12.27pm GMT
12:27
Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, has been speaking to US news show Morning Joe.
He says the attacker was known to police and MI5, as May said earlier this morning.
I think what I can say about the individual concerned is that his values, his idea of the world will not prevail. He launched an attack at the heart of our democracy as has happened many times in the last decades.
The values of that Palace of Westminster will continue to triumph and whatever he thought he was doing, he will not succeed.
Fmr. London Mayor Boris Johnson responds to London attack and Theresa May's address before Parliament. pic.twitter.com/ipbqEG4oxh
12.22pm GMT
12:22
Islamic State claims responsibility for Westminster attack
Amaq, the news agency used by Isis to broadcast propaganda, says that the group is responsible for the attack. It calls the attacker “a soldier of Islamic State.”
This is a claim by them, which obviously cannot be verified at this stage.
Updated
at 12.26pm GMT
12.21pm GMT
12:21
Often what is significant in the Commons is what is not said. As the Guardian’s home affairs editor Alan Travis says, it was striking that this atrocity has not led to calls for a new anti-terror crackdown.
Significant PM's Commons statement on Westminster terror attack hasn't heard any demands for tougher counter-terror laws or tighter security
The one exception to this was Theresa Villiers suggesting that all police officers guarding “sensitive sites” in London should be routinely armed. (See 11.57am.) But the fact that this was a relatively modest proposal, which Theresa May was happy to sidestep, proves Alan’s point; there is no appetite in the Commons for a fresh wave of authoritarianism.
12.14pm GMT
12:14
The Metropolitan police has acted fast to step up security at London’s airports, reports the Guardian’s Helena Smith.
Within hours of the attack, extra patrols of police armed with automatic weapons were in place at Heathrow’s terminals.
By 3.10PM yesterday – exactly 30 minutes after the as-yet-unidentified assailant ploughed the rented SUV into people on Westminster bridge – six heavily armed police were standing outside one entrance to the departures lounge of Terminal Two.
In an effort to reassure the public the Met police had announced that extra patrols, armed and unarmed, would be in place, “particularly in crowded places and iconic locations”.
Despite the heightened police presence however, there were no other evident restrictions for travellers flying out of Heathrow last night or this morning.
Updated
at 12.21pm GMT
12.11pm GMT
12:11
PC Keith Palmer was a Charlton Athletic fan and the club have placed a red and white scarf on his seat in the stand where he held a season ticket.
As an immediate tribute to hero Keith, a red and white scarf has been placed on the seat which he occupied for many years... #cafc pic.twitter.com/iKZkQufC6i
12.09pm GMT
12:09
Several MPs have called for a permanent memorial to PC Keith Palmer for paying “the ultimate sacrifice for our democracy.”
Conservative MP Nigel Evans said Palmer was “one of us”.
The tribute to Keith and the police are that we are here today and our proceedings are going on.
We have the arch that’s been spoken about before, which is a lasting memorial to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our democracy.
I do hope that at an appropriate time, with discussion with the family, that we too may be able to look at a lasting memorial to Keith in order that each and every one of us know that there are people putting their lives on the line for our democracy today.
Fellow Tory MP Michael Fabricant also called for a memorial in Palmer’s honour and Palmer’s friend, James Cleverly, asked for him to be given a posthumous award for bravery.
The prime minister said she was sure the issue would be considered by the parliamentary authorities.
Updated
at 12.24pm GMT
12.05pm GMT
12:05
In the Commons Theresa May has now finished her statement.
In Edinburgh Nicola Sturgeon has just started first minister’s questions in the Scottish parliament. She says many MSPs have friends and even family members working in Westminster. They were shocked by what happened, she says.
She says her thoughts and prayers are with the family of PC Keith Palmer. And she praises the bravery of all those who serve in the police.
She says she was updated by Police Scotland yesterday, and again this morning.
There is no evidence of a threat to Scotland. But, as a precautionary measure, policing has been increased, she says.
She says the only people to blame for acts of terrorism are those who perpetrate them.
She says she wants to echo the words of Theresa May: terrorists seek to undermine our values, but they will not succeed, she says.
UPDATE: Here is a link to the text of Sturgeon’s statement.
You can read FM @nicolasturgeon statement to @scotparl following yesterday's Westminster attacks https://t.co/orv6K4hZ1e
Updated
at 12.27pm GMT
12.04pm GMT
12:04
Tobias Ellwood, the junior foreign office minister who went to the aid of PC Keith Palmer, has been listening to tributes in the House. His face was full of emotion. The MP, who performed CPR on the dying officer, did not speak but his bravery was mentioned by many MPs from both parties.
Updated
at 12.06pm GMT
11.57am GMT11.57am GMT
11:5711:57
Theresa Villiers, the former Northern Ireland secretary, used her question during the statement to suggest that all police officers guarding “sensitive sites” in London should be routinely armed. She asked Theresa May:Theresa Villiers, the former Northern Ireland secretary, used her question during the statement to suggest that all police officers guarding “sensitive sites” in London should be routinely armed. She asked Theresa May:
As we reflect on what happened, is it time to consider whether the police who guard sensitive sites known to be of interest to terrorists like Parliament or like airports should routinely carry personal protection weapons, even when those officers are not part of the units formally tasked with armed response?As we reflect on what happened, is it time to consider whether the police who guard sensitive sites known to be of interest to terrorists like Parliament or like airports should routinely carry personal protection weapons, even when those officers are not part of the units formally tasked with armed response?
May said that whether particular officers were armed was “an operational matter” for the police. She went on:May said that whether particular officers were armed was “an operational matter” for the police. She went on:
They are the best able to judge the circumstances in which it is best for individuals to have those arms but of course we have seen a significant increase in the number of armed response vehicles, the number of counter terrorism specialists, firearms officers.They are the best able to judge the circumstances in which it is best for individuals to have those arms but of course we have seen a significant increase in the number of armed response vehicles, the number of counter terrorism specialists, firearms officers.
It is a sad reflection of the threat that we face that it has been necessary to do that but we have been doing that.It is a sad reflection of the threat that we face that it has been necessary to do that but we have been doing that.
11.57am GMT11.57am GMT
11:5711:57
Rachel ObordoRachel Obordo
If you would like to share your reactions and tributes you can do so by clicking the ‘Contribute’ button on the live blog, or by filling in our encrypted form here.If you would like to share your reactions and tributes you can do so by clicking the ‘Contribute’ button on the live blog, or by filling in our encrypted form here.
Perhaps you plan on attending the vigil in Trafalgar Square tonight or perhaps have a similar event happening near you.Perhaps you plan on attending the vigil in Trafalgar Square tonight or perhaps have a similar event happening near you.
We will do our best to ensure your responses are kept secure and confidential, and we’ll feature a selection of contributions in our ongoing reporting.We will do our best to ensure your responses are kept secure and confidential, and we’ll feature a selection of contributions in our ongoing reporting.
11.53am GMT11.53am GMT
11:5311:53
Here are some more quotes from MPs who have been speaking during the statement.Here are some more quotes from MPs who have been speaking during the statement.
Harriet Harman, the former Labour deputy leader, said the act of terror had failed.Harriet Harman, the former Labour deputy leader, said the act of terror had failed.
As an act of terror it has failed. It has failed because we are here and we are going to go about our business. It failed because, as the prime minister so rightly said, we are not going to allow this to be used as a pretext for division, hatred and Islamophobia.As an act of terror it has failed. It has failed because we are here and we are going to go about our business. It failed because, as the prime minister so rightly said, we are not going to allow this to be used as a pretext for division, hatred and Islamophobia.
Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader, said the UK was united against terrorism.Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader, said the UK was united against terrorism.
We must not allow anyone to try and divide our country on the basis of faith or nationality after these attacks. The reality is that across London, across the country, we are a country united against these attacks.We must not allow anyone to try and divide our country on the basis of faith or nationality after these attacks. The reality is that across London, across the country, we are a country united against these attacks.
Dominic Grieve, the Conservative chair of the intelligence and security committee, said it was a “miracle” that the UK had escaped most terror plots in recent years and that “this house is going to have to simply be resolute in accepting that such attacks cannot always be prevented”.Dominic Grieve, the Conservative chair of the intelligence and security committee, said it was a “miracle” that the UK had escaped most terror plots in recent years and that “this house is going to have to simply be resolute in accepting that such attacks cannot always be prevented”.
The Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron, praised Theresa May for the tone she adopted in her statement, which was “unifying and defiant and with which she really did speak for us all”.The Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron, praised Theresa May for the tone she adopted in her statement, which was “unifying and defiant and with which she really did speak for us all”.
The Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts said one attacker could not shut down a city.The Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts said one attacker could not shut down a city.
One man cannot shut down a city and one man cannot lock down democracy … We must also not react to such a warped ideology with unworthy responses.One man cannot shut down a city and one man cannot lock down democracy … We must also not react to such a warped ideology with unworthy responses.
I’ve taken the quotes from PoliticsHome.I’ve taken the quotes from PoliticsHome.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.57am GMTat 11.57am GMT
11.50am GMT11.50am GMT
11:5011:50
Rowena MasonRowena Mason
No 10 would not say precisely when the attacker was last investigated by MI5. Theresa May’s spokesman would only say it was “some years” ago in response to repeated questions about when, why and how the intelligence agencies have monitored him in the past.No 10 would not say precisely when the attacker was last investigated by MI5. Theresa May’s spokesman would only say it was “some years” ago in response to repeated questions about when, why and how the intelligence agencies have monitored him in the past.
The spokesman also refused to say whether May believes there have been any failings by the security services in their decision not to continue monitoring him.The spokesman also refused to say whether May believes there have been any failings by the security services in their decision not to continue monitoring him.
However, Downing Street did confirm that the prime minister intends to stick to her plan of triggering article 50 on Wednesday next week.However, Downing Street did confirm that the prime minister intends to stick to her plan of triggering article 50 on Wednesday next week.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.51am GMTat 11.51am GMT
11.41am GMT11.41am GMT
11:4111:41
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
The Hyundai Tucson used by the attacker was rented from an Enterprise branch on Spring Hill passage in Birmingham, one mile from the property raided last night on Hagley Road, the Guardian understands.The Hyundai Tucson used by the attacker was rented from an Enterprise branch on Spring Hill passage in Birmingham, one mile from the property raided last night on Hagley Road, the Guardian understands.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.49am GMTat 11.49am GMT
11.40am GMT11.40am GMT
11:4011:40
May says that, as home secretary, there were two events every year that brought home to her how brave the police are. They were the national police service memorial day and the police bravery awards. What always struck her, she says, was how officers, when asked about what they did, just said they were doing their job.May says that, as home secretary, there were two events every year that brought home to her how brave the police are. They were the national police service memorial day and the police bravery awards. What always struck her, she says, was how officers, when asked about what they did, just said they were doing their job.
11.37am GMT11.37am GMT
11:3711:37
Queen offers "thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy" after attackQueen offers "thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy" after attack
The Queen has said her “thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathy” are with all those who have been affected by yesterday’s “awful violence”.The Queen has said her “thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathy” are with all those who have been affected by yesterday’s “awful violence”.
Queen Elizabeth had been due to open the new Metropolitan police building this morning, but the ceremony has been cancelled.Queen Elizabeth had been due to open the new Metropolitan police building this morning, but the ceremony has been cancelled.
She went on: “I know I speak for everyone in expressing my enduring thanks and admiration for the members of the Metropolitan Police Service and all who work so selflessly to help and protect others.”She went on: “I know I speak for everyone in expressing my enduring thanks and admiration for the members of the Metropolitan Police Service and all who work so selflessly to help and protect others.”
Message from The Queen to @metpoliceuk pic.twitter.com/8v7jEDeZipMessage from The Queen to @metpoliceuk pic.twitter.com/8v7jEDeZip
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.38am GMTat 11.38am GMT
11.35am GMT11.35am GMT
11:3511:35
Witnesses yesterday described seeing a woman pulled from the river after the carnage on Westminster bridge, who is alive but in a serious condition.Witnesses yesterday described seeing a woman pulled from the river after the carnage on Westminster bridge, who is alive but in a serious condition.
It has since emerged she was a Romanian tourist celebrating her boyfriend’s birthday in London.It has since emerged she was a Romanian tourist celebrating her boyfriend’s birthday in London.
Romanian Ambassador Dan Mihalache told Realitatea TV that the woman sustained serious head injuries and has badly damaged lungs. Her boyfriend suffered a foot fracture. The pair haven’t been named yet.Romanian Ambassador Dan Mihalache told Realitatea TV that the woman sustained serious head injuries and has badly damaged lungs. Her boyfriend suffered a foot fracture. The pair haven’t been named yet.
“They were tourists, unfortunately they were unlucky. They had come to celebrate his birthday.” He said the pair planned to wed,” Mihalache said.“They were tourists, unfortunately they were unlucky. They had come to celebrate his birthday.” He said the pair planned to wed,” Mihalache said.
11.31am GMT11.31am GMT
11:3111:31
The Conservative MP James Cleverly sounded close to tears as he paid tribute to PC Keith Palmer in the chamber a few minutes ago. He said he first met him 25 years ago as Gunner Keith Palmer at the Royal Artillery HQ.The Conservative MP James Cleverly sounded close to tears as he paid tribute to PC Keith Palmer in the chamber a few minutes ago. He said he first met him 25 years ago as Gunner Keith Palmer at the Royal Artillery HQ.
He was a strong, professional public servant and it was a delight to meet him here again only a few months after being elected. Would [Theresa May] in recognition of the work that he did and the other police officers and public servants in the House do consider recognising his gallantry and sacrifice formally with a posthumous recognition?He was a strong, professional public servant and it was a delight to meet him here again only a few months after being elected. Would [Theresa May] in recognition of the work that he did and the other police officers and public servants in the House do consider recognising his gallantry and sacrifice formally with a posthumous recognition?
May said the idea would “of course be considered in due course”.May said the idea would “of course be considered in due course”.
Updated
at 12.04pm GMT
11.31am GMT11.31am GMT
11:3111:31
Greece 'unaware' citizens had been injured until PM's statementGreece 'unaware' citizens had been injured until PM's statement
Helena SmithHelena Smith
Theresa May’s announcement that two Greeks were among the 12 injured has caught authorities in Athens at least by surprise.Theresa May’s announcement that two Greeks were among the 12 injured has caught authorities in Athens at least by surprise.
While the Greek ministry of foreign affairs had strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a “cowardly act,” there was no suggestion that Greeks were among the victims.While the Greek ministry of foreign affairs had strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a “cowardly act,” there was no suggestion that Greeks were among the victims.
A press officer at the Greek embassy in London said staff has only been made aware when the British prime minister announced it in parliament.A press officer at the Greek embassy in London said staff has only been made aware when the British prime minister announced it in parliament.
“It came as a surprise. We had not been made aware of it by the Metropolitian police earlier this morning,” the officer, Claire Koltsida, told the Guardian.“It came as a surprise. We had not been made aware of it by the Metropolitian police earlier this morning,” the officer, Claire Koltsida, told the Guardian.
“We now know it was a couple who suffered light injuries and took themselves off in a private capacity to the hospital. We hope to know more later today.”“We now know it was a couple who suffered light injuries and took themselves off in a private capacity to the hospital. We hope to know more later today.”