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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)
1.42pm GMT
13:42
The Duchess of Cambridge has expressed her sympathy with the victims and injured of the Westminster attack.
Speaking as the Out Of The Blue educational films were released at an event in central London, Kate said:
I know you would all want to join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to all those sadly affected by yesterday’s terrible attack in Westminster.
We will be thinking of all the families, as we discuss the important issues we’re here to talk about.
Updated
at 1.42pm GMT
1.41pm GMT
13:41
On the World at One just now Alan Johnson, the Labour former home secretary, said that one problem yesterday was that the gates to New Palace Yard (the main entrance to the Palace of Westminster for cars) were open because a vote was taking place. Those were the gates through which the attacker entered. Johnson said:
The other thing was there was a vote at the time. When the votes are on, the gates are open so that ministers can drive in from wherever they are in their different departments in Whitehall. We might have to think about that as well.
Johnson also suggested that there might be a case for arming all police on duty at the Palace of Westminster (a proposal also backed by Theresa Villiers, the Conservative former Northern Ireland secretary, in the Commons earlier - see 11.57am.) Johnson said:
The armed police are the second line of defence. The first line of defence, all too often, are the unarmed police, which we might need to rethink.
1.23pm GMT
13:23
Westminster Bridge has reopened
The major crossing where the car attack on pedestrians took place has reopened already, police say. However, there are still widespread closures in the area.
#Breaking Westminster Bridge reopened less than 24 hours after Wednesday's attack, police on duty in the area confirm
Updated
at 1.26pm GMT
1.22pm GMT
13:22
The injuries suffered by an Irish person in the Westminster terror attack are not life threatening, the Republic’s parliament has been told.
As the Press Association reports, deputy prime minister Frances Fitzgerald revealed the victim’s condition as she described the murders in central London as a “cowardly act”.
1.18pm GMT
13:18
Jason Burke
Here’s more from Jason Burke on the language used in the Isis propaganda and on British-born extremists.
“Soldiers” responding to the call is used to describe people like Omar Mateen, who opened fire in a nightclub in Florida last year and who claimed allegiance to IS during the attack without any prior contact with the group.
Other terms are used to describe attackers like those who made up the Paris/Brussels network who, for the most part, were trained, commissioned and despatched by IS planners after spending time in Syria.
The vast majority of attackers are local - many born in the countries they attack in, or at least naturalised citizens or long-term residents. Same in France, with a couple of recent exceptions, and elsewhere in Europe.
The idea that terrorists systematically fly thousands of miles to infiltrate and strike is a fallacy - though it does occasionally happen. 9/11 set up this idea, but was an anomaly.
ISIS claim issued in English, Arabic, French and German. Yes, it was aimed at “enemy” but aimed at supporters too. IS needs to boost morale. It’s motto is “to endure and expand”.
It’s done precious little of either recently, so needs to make a point to potential and actual sympathisers and militants already in ranks who may be losing heart.
anyone interested will find lots more of my analysis, reporting etc on Islamic militancy & linked issues on FB page:https://t.co/hdzgI0dBHk
Updated
at 1.30pm GMT
1.16pm GMT
13:16
The Russian president Vladimir Putin offered his condolences to Theresa May for the attack. In a statement released by the Kremlin, he said:
Terrorist attacks are becoming increasingly cunning and cynical.
It is obvious that all members of the international community should join forces to stand up against the terrorist threat.
1.09pm GMT1.09pm GMT
13:0913:09
Denis CampbellDenis 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.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: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.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.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.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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.09pm GMTat 1.09pm GMT
1.08pm GMT1.08pm GMT
13:0813:08
Patrick WintourPatrick 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 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.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.“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 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 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.“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 GMT1.06pm GMT
13:0613:06
The former US president Barack Obama has said no act of terror will shake the resilience of the British.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.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 GMT1.02pm GMT
13:0213:02
Rowena MasonRowena 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.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: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.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.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.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.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, 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.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.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”.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”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.04pm GMTat 1.04pm GMT
12.58pm GMT12.58pm GMT
12:5812:58
The Guardian’s Jason Burke has some useful context on the credibility of the statement from Isis. The Guardian’s Jason Burke has some useful context on the credibility of the statement from Isis. The language in the statement does not name the attacker and suggested he was inspired by the group rather than organised.
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/9HOqdRjrFUthis 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/eSHQ0htpTXISIS 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
Updated
at 1.10pm GMT
12.50pm GMT12.50pm GMT
12:5012:50
Helen PiddHelen Pidd
At Birmingham Central Mosque, chairman Mohammed Afzal was ready with a statement for journalists on Thursday condemning the London attacks.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.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.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.He questioned why the intelligence services had stopped monitoring the attacker.
“Why did MI5 not keep an eye on him?” he asked.“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 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” years ago.
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.
He did not even make the list of 3,000.
Updated
at 12.41pm GMT
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. The wording of the Isis statement suggests he was inspired, rather than directed by them but we have no confirmation on either front.
Updated
at 12.36pm 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