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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)
1.09pm GMT
13:09
Denis Campbell
Denis Campbell, our health policy editor, has just sent this: The boss of the NHS today lauded the “immense personal bravery” and vital role played by health service personnel across the capital who helped the casualties from yesterday’s attack.
Speaking at an event in the City of London, Simon Stevens said:
I would like to just start, given what happened, the terrible events of yesterday afternoon, by using this opportunity to thank the staff across the NHS in London who responded so brilliantly to the terrorist outrage in Westminster.
The fact is that this was not just paramedics and ambulance crew but staff from St Thomas’s hospital running across Westminster Bridge into potential danger. I think that really demonstrates not only the professional skill of all our staff across the NHS but also immense personal bravery.
Stevens marked one minute’s silence for the victims of the attack alongside staff who oversaw the NHS response from its London Incident Coordination Centre, which was activated as soon as news came through about 2.30 on Wednesday.
In all 68 paramedics and ambulance crew personnel from the London Ambulance Service were involved in the response to the attack. and casualties were treated at five London hospitals: St Mary’s, Chelsea & Westminster, King’s College, Royal London and St Thomas hospitals.
Updated
at 1.09pm GMT
1.08pm GMT
13:08
Patrick Wintour
Poland’s prime minister became the first senior European leader to draw a link between the London attack and the European Union’s migrant policy, saying the assault vindicated Warsaw’s refusal to take in refugees.
Poland’s government has refused to accept any of the 6,200 migrants allocated to it under the European Union’s quota scheme that is designed to share the burden of taking in the large numbers of migrants and refugees who have come to Europe over the past two years.
“I hear in Europe very often: do not connect the migration policy with terrorism, but it is impossible not to connect them,” Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo told private broadcaster TVN24.
The EU’s migration commissioner, Dimitris Avramopoulos, on a visit to Warsaw, warned member states against failing to host refugees to help alleviate pressure on frontline states bearing the brunt of arrivals across the Mediterranean.
“The commissioner should concentrate on what to do to avoid such acts as yesterday in London ... Poland will not succumb to blackmail such as that expressed by the commissioner,” Szydlo said.
“The commissioner is coming to Warsaw and trying to tell us: you have to do what the EU decided, you have to take these migrants .... Two days later another terrorist attack in London occurs,” she said.
1.06pm GMT
13:06
The former US president Barack Obama has said no act of terror will shake the resilience of the British.
My heart goes out to the victims and their families in London. No act of terror can shake the strength and resilience of our British ally.
1.02pm GMT
13:02
Rowena Mason
Nigel Farage has used the London terror attack as a reason to justify Donald Trump’s travel ban on travellers from Muslim-majority countries as he appeared on Fox News to claim it showed there should be more vetting of migrants.
The former Ukip leader appeared on the US network in the early hours of the morning to blame politicians who embrace multiculturalism and uncontrolled immigration from Middle Eastern countries for “inviting in terrorism”. He said it was a reason for US citizens to stop protest against Trump’s travel ban, even though Theresa May has confirmed police believe the attacker was British born. He said:
We’ve made some terrible mistakes in this country, and it really started with the election of Tony Blair back in 1997, who said he wanted to build a multicultural Britain.
His government even said they sent out search parties to find immigrants from all over the world to come into Britain. Do you know what? I don’t think we vetted a single one of them.
The problem with multiculturalism is that it leads to divided communities. It’s quite different to multiracialism. That’s fine, that can work very happily and extremely well. But we’ve finished up with very divided communities.
I’m sorry to say that we have now a fifth column living inside these European countries. Surely an American audience seeing this horrendous thing happening in Westminster should start to say to itself that when Donald Trump tries to put in place vetting measures, he is doing it to protect your country.
Frankly, all those people out protesting in Fifth Avenue in New York and elsewhere need to have a good, long hard think about what they are doing.
Frankly, if you open your door to uncontrolled immigration from Middle Eastern countries, you are inviting in terrorism.
I do actually think that the moment has come for us to actually point the blame. What these politicians have done in the space of just 15 years may well affect the way we live in this country over the next 100 years.
Victoria Ayling, a Ukip heritage and tourism spokesman, also retweeted a series of inflammatory posts about “challenging the West’s Muslim’s problem” and a need for “action against Islam”.
Updated
at 1.04pm GMT
12.58pm GMT
12:58
The Guardian’s Jason Burke has some useful context on the credibility of the statement from Isis.
this useful. Vocab of ISIS claim indicates that group did not have prior knowledge of #londonattack, as does lack of biog details. https://t.co/9HOqdRjrFU
ISIS clearly stating that #londonattack came “in response to its call to target Crusader countries”. i.e. not a directed/commissioned strike https://t.co/eSHQ0htpTX
12.50pm GMT
12:50
Helen Pidd
At Birmingham Central Mosque, chairman Mohammed Afzal was ready with a statement for journalists on Thursday condemning the London attacks.
He handed out copies of a booklet called Terrorism Is Not Islam, a 12-page guide the mosque has produced. Fifty-five thousand copies of the leaflet were handed out at mosques, schools and shops across Birmingham, supported by West Midlands police.
Afzal said he didn’t know if the terrorist had attended the mosque because they did not yet know his identity.
He questioned why the intelligence services had stopped monitoring the attacker.
“Why did MI5 not keep an eye on him?” he asked.
12.42pm GMT
12:42
Archbishop says response to terror attack show victory of good over evil
In the House of Lords peers have also been speaking about the attack yesterday. One of the most striking interventions came from Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, who spoke to peers about the Christian lessons to be learnt from atrocity.
He said he was struck by three images from yesterday.
The first is of a vehicle being driven across Westminster Bridge by someone who had a perverted, nihilistic, despairing view of objectives of what life is about, of what this society is about, that could only be fulfilled by death and destruction.
The second is of that same person a few minutes later on a stretcher or on the ground being treated by the very people he had sought to kill.
The third is of these two houses, where profound disagreement, bitter disagreement, angry disagreement, is dealt with not with violence, not with despair, not with cruelty, but with discussion, with reason, and with calmness.
It seems to me that those three pictures point us to deep values within our own society, deeper even than the ones that have been mentioned in the prime minister’s statement and other statements, which is the sense that comes from a narrative within our society for almost 2,000 years that speaks of, at this time of year as we look forward to Holy Week and Easter, of a God who stands with the suffering and brings justice, and whose resurrection has given to believer and unbeliever the sense that, where we do what is right, where we behave properly, where that generosity and extraordinary sense of duty that leads people to treat a terrorist is shown, where that bravery of someone like PC Keith Palmer is demonstrated, that there is a victory for what is right and good over what is evil, despairing and bad.
That was shown yesterday, hat is shown not just in our expression of values but in our practices which define those values and that is the mood that we must show in the future.
Updated
at 12.52pm GMT
12.34pm GMT12.34pm GMT
12:3412:34
Attacker 'not among' top 3,000 on MI5 listAttacker 'not among' top 3,000 on MI5 list
Ewen MacAskillEwen 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. 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. May told the Commons he had been on the radar of the security services as a “peripheral figure” 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. About 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.The Guardian understands that the attacker was not one of them.
He did not even make the list of 3,000.He did not even make the list of 3,000.
Updated
at 12.41pm GMT
12.27pm GMT12.27pm GMT
12:2712:27
Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, has been speaking to US news show Morning Joe.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.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.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.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/ipbqEG4oxhFmr. London Mayor Boris Johnson responds to London attack and Theresa May's address before Parliament. pic.twitter.com/ipbqEG4oxh
12.22pm GMT12.22pm GMT
12:2212:22
Islamic State claims responsibility for Westminster attackIslamic 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.”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. This is a claim by them, which obviously cannot be verified at this stage. The wording of the Isis statement suggests he was inspired, rather than directed by them but we have no confirmation on either front.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.26pm GMT at 12.36pm GMT
12.21pm GMT12.21pm GMT
12:2112:21
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.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 securitySignificant 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.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 GMT12.14pm GMT
12:1412:14
The Metropolitan police has acted fast to step up security at London’s airports, reports the Guardian’s Helena Smith.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.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.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”.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.Despite the heightened police presence however, there were no other evident restrictions for travellers flying out of Heathrow last night or this morning.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.21pm GMTat 12.21pm GMT
12.11pm GMT12.11pm GMT
12:1112:11
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.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/iKZkQufC6iAs 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 GMT12.09pm GMT
12:0912:09
Several MPs have called for a permanent memorial to PC Keith Palmer for paying “the ultimate sacrifice for our democracy.”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”.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.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.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.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.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.The prime minister said she was sure the issue would be considered by the parliamentary authorities.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.24pm GMTat 12.24pm GMT
12.05pm GMT12.05pm GMT
12:0512:05
In the Commons Theresa May has now finished her statement.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.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 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.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.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 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.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.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/orv6K4hZ1eYou can read FM @nicolasturgeon statement to @scotparl following yesterday's Westminster attacks https://t.co/orv6K4hZ1e
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.27pm GMTat 12.27pm GMT
12.04pm GMT12.04pm GMT
12:0412:04
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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.06pm GMTat 12.06pm GMT
11.57am GMT
11:57
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:
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:
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.
11.57am GMT
11:57
Rachel 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.
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.
11.53am GMT
11:53
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
Updated
at 11.57am GMT
11.50am GMT
11:50
Rowena 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.
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.
Updated
at 11.51am GMT
11.41am GMT
11:41
Jamie 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.
Updated
at 11.49am GMT
11.40am GMT
11:40
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.
11.37am GMT
11:37
Queen 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”.
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.”
Message from The Queen to @metpoliceuk pic.twitter.com/8v7jEDeZip
Updated
at 11.38am GMT
11.35am GMT
11:35
Witnesses yesterday described seeing a woman pulled from the river after the carnage on Westminster bridge, who is alive but in a serious condition.
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.
“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 GMT
11:31
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.
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”.
Updated
at 12.04pm GMT
11.31am GMT
11:31
Greece 'unaware' citizens had been injured until PM's statement
Helena Smith
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.
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.
“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.”