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London terror attack: Khalid Masood named by police as responsible for Westminster attack London terror attack: Khalid Masood named by police as responsible for Westminster attack
(35 minutes later)
5.44pm GMT
17:44
Alan Travis
Amber Rudd, the home secretary, in her first public comments today, has warned against blaming the intelligence services.
“They do a fantastic job. The fact that he was known to them does not mean that someone has 24 hour cover. So I think we will discover more about this man and the people around him. I have no doubt the intelligence services are doing a great job,” she said in a BBC interview.
Asked if there had not been “a clear intelligence failure” because of concerns over his violent extremism and not just his criminal past, Rudd responded:
I think that would absolutely be the wrong judgment to make. I am confident that as we get more information - and I really can’t be drawn any further on it at the moment - that we will learn more and take comfort from the information we have. It is hard for them because they operate with a large degree of secrecy for good reasons. I would urge everyone to give them the space to do the inquiries that they need.”
5.35pm GMT
17:35
Alice Ross
As well as Birmingham earlier, police have conducted raids in Brighton and Wales on Thursday.
A spokesman for Sussex police declined to confirm whether raids had taken place in Brighton, saying: “All questions about the operation should be referred to the Metropolitan police.”
5.27pm GMT
17:27
Afternoon summary
Four people have died, including police officer Keith Palmer, and the attacker. Seven of the 29 people injured remain in a critical condition.
The assailant was named by police on Thursday as Khalid Masood, 52, who was born in Kent but was believed to have been living in the West Midlands most recently.
He drove a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing two people, before crashing it outside parliament and trying to enter the complex, armed with a knife.
One of the victims was named as Aysha Frade, 43, who worked as a teacher in London. The mother-of-two had family in Betanzos, Galicia, in north-west Spain.
The third person killed by the attacker was named as Kurt Cochran, a US tourist, who was in Europe to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Melissa. She is in hospital with serious injuries.
The prime minister, Theresa May, said Masood had been investigated “some years ago” by MI5 in relation to concerns about violent extremism but was “not part of the current intelligence picture”.
The Met police said Masood had a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences. His most recent was in December 2003 for possession of a knife.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack but its claim has not been verified.
5.17pm GMT
17:17
Members of the public have been chalking messages in Trafalgar Square, where the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is leading a vigil later.
"We are not afraid" and other messages of solidarity chalked onto Trafalgar Square pic.twitter.com/lEaKka0O8u
5.15pm GMT
17:15
Jessica Elgot
We’re handing over to Chris Johnston for the evening, many thanks for reading today.
5.10pm GMT5.10pm GMT
17:1017:10
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
Here’s another line from Laura Kuenssberg’s interview with Amber Rudd.Here’s another line from Laura Kuenssberg’s interview with Amber Rudd.
Rudd also warns of 'kneejerk' reaction, doesn't sound like govt considering any big policy change in reactionRudd also warns of 'kneejerk' reaction, doesn't sound like govt considering any big policy change in reaction
That’s all from me for today. My colleague Jessica Elgot is wrapping up shortly too, but colleagues will be taking over and keeping the blog going into the evening.That’s all from me for today. My colleague Jessica Elgot is wrapping up shortly too, but colleagues will be taking over and keeping the blog going into the evening.
5.01pm GMT5.01pm GMT
17:0117:01
An update from King’s College hospital, one of the major trauma centres treating some of the injured victims from yesterday’s attack.An update from King’s College hospital, one of the major trauma centres treating some of the injured victims from yesterday’s attack.
Two patients have discharged, four are stable and two more are in a critical condition.Two patients have discharged, four are stable and two more are in a critical condition.
We are still treating two patients who are in a critical condition and four who are stable. #Westminster [2/2]We are still treating two patients who are in a critical condition and four who are stable. #Westminster [2/2]
4.59pm GMT4.59pm GMT
16:5916:59
After visiting the injured in hospital, Theresa May has been back at work in Downing Street this afternoon, Number 10 said.After visiting the injured in hospital, Theresa May has been back at work in Downing Street this afternoon, Number 10 said.
She spoke by phone about the attacks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau and King Salman of Saudi Arabia.She spoke by phone about the attacks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau and King Salman of Saudi Arabia.
Later this afternoon, she was holding private talks at Downing Street with former Polish prime minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the chairman of the country’s ruling Law and Justice Party.Later this afternoon, she was holding private talks at Downing Street with former Polish prime minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the chairman of the country’s ruling Law and Justice Party.
4.53pm GMT4.53pm GMT
16:5316:53
Amber Rudd, the home secretary, has told the BBC that it would be wrong to see yesterday’s attack as an intelligence failure.Amber Rudd, the home secretary, has told the BBC that it would be wrong to see yesterday’s attack as an intelligence failure.
Amber Rudd tells me it would be 'absolutely the wrong judgement' to see attack as intelligence failure, interview soon on @bbcnewsAmber Rudd tells me it would be 'absolutely the wrong judgement' to see attack as intelligence failure, interview soon on @bbcnews
Rudd says she feels 'echoes' of the Nice attack, says she is confident the security services + police have resources they needRudd says she feels 'echoes' of the Nice attack, says she is confident the security services + police have resources they need
4.51pm GMT4.51pm GMT
16:5116:51
The Polish embassy has an update on the injuries of a Polish man caught up in the attack.The Polish embassy has an update on the injuries of a Polish man caught up in the attack.
The embassy said he suffered minor injuries and was released from hospital on Thursday.The embassy said he suffered minor injuries and was released from hospital on Thursday.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.58pm GMTat 4.58pm GMT
4.42pm GMT4.42pm GMT
16:4216:42
Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, has been speaking to reporters in New York after a meeting of the UN security council. He said that an attack on London was an attack on the world, and that democracy would prevail.Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, has been speaking to reporters in New York after a meeting of the UN security council. He said that an attack on London was an attack on the world, and that democracy would prevail.
Yesterday the people of London were attacked in a cowardly and despicable way and our thoughts today are with the victims and their families. And on behalf of the United Kingdom I’m grateful for all the condolences that have been expressed here at the UN and the minute’s silence that was held in the security council.Yesterday the people of London were attacked in a cowardly and despicable way and our thoughts today are with the victims and their families. And on behalf of the United Kingdom I’m grateful for all the condolences that have been expressed here at the UN and the minute’s silence that was held in the security council.
You may know that today there are victims in London from 11 nations which goes to show that an attack on London is an attack on the world. And I can tell you from my talks here with the US government and with partners around the world that the world is united to defeat the people who launched this attack, to defeat their bankrupt and odious ideology.You may know that today there are victims in London from 11 nations which goes to show that an attack on London is an attack on the world. And I can tell you from my talks here with the US government and with partners around the world that the world is united to defeat the people who launched this attack, to defeat their bankrupt and odious ideology.
And I say that in confidence because our values are superior, our view of the world is better and more generous and our will is stronger.And I say that in confidence because our values are superior, our view of the world is better and more generous and our will is stronger.
Our Houses of Parliament in London have been attacked for centuries by all sorts of people. But the ideas embodied in that Palace of Westminster, freedom, democracy, the equality of human beings under the law, are stronger than any adversary and they will prevail.Our Houses of Parliament in London have been attacked for centuries by all sorts of people. But the ideas embodied in that Palace of Westminster, freedom, democracy, the equality of human beings under the law, are stronger than any adversary and they will prevail.
Interestingly, Johnson also called for a debate about whether it was right to allow images of terrorist attacks to be broadcast as those events are taking place. He said:Interestingly, Johnson also called for a debate about whether it was right to allow images of terrorist attacks to be broadcast as those events are taking place. He said:
I may say, by the way, that I do believe that we should go through a period of reflection about how we transmit images of these events around the world in real time.I may say, by the way, that I do believe that we should go through a period of reflection about how we transmit images of these events around the world in real time.
4.19pm GMT4.19pm GMT
16:1916:19
PC Keith Palmer’s former team have laid a wreath in memory of those who lost their lives yesterday.PC Keith Palmer’s former team have laid a wreath in memory of those who lost their lives yesterday.
PC Keith Palmer's former team lay a wreath in memory of those who lost their lives yesterday #WestminsterAttack https://t.co/QRkLOW6KenPC Keith Palmer's former team lay a wreath in memory of those who lost their lives yesterday #WestminsterAttack https://t.co/QRkLOW6Ken
4.17pm GMT
16:17
PM visits injured in London hospital
Heather Stewart
Theresa May has made a 40-minute private visit to an unnamed London hospital to comfort victims of yesterday’s attacks and thank medical staff, her spokesman said at this afternoon’s lobby briefing.
May also travelled to Buckingham Palace last night, at about 6pm, to hold her usual audience with the Queen, the spokesman confirmed.
He said May had signed the condolence book for the victims of the attacks and had received calls from a series of world leaders since the attack, including the French president, François Hollande, German chancellor Angela Merkel and Donald Trump.
Updated
at 4.19pm GMT
4.14pm GMT
16:14
MPs have been attending a special service in the House of Commons led by the Speaker’s chaplain, Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin.
Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, and the shadow Commons leader Valerie Vaz were among the MPs in attendance. Many were in tears, others had their heads bowed.
Two services took place at 12.30pm and 3pm, with another at 6.30pm.
Updated
at 4.18pm GMT
4.08pm GMT
16:08
Here are some of the places where flags are flying at half mast today after the Westminster attack.
EU flags at half-mast at our headquarters. We stand with London and the British people. pic.twitter.com/aBNM7qYHXB
Updated
at 4.51pm GMT
4.08pm GMT
16:08
Keith Palmer's family pay tribute to 'brave and courageous' officer
The family of PC Keith Palmer have released a statement through the Met police:
Keith will be remembered as a wonderful dad and husband. A loving son, brother and uncle. A longtime supporter of Charlton FC. Dedicated to his job and proud to be a police officer, brave and courageous.
A friend to everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed. We love him so much. His friends and family are shocked and devastated by his loss and ask that they are left to grieve alone in peace.
The police have also released more details of Palmer’s career, he joined the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command in April 2016 and before that was in the territorial support group, based at Catford but patrolling and working across London. Before the TSG, he was based in Bromley borough between 2002 and 2009.
Keith was 48 and joined the Met in November 2001. He was married with a five-year-old daughter. He was nominated in 2015 for best thief taker in the Commissioner’s Excellence Awards, having made more than 150 arrests in 12 months.
PC James Aitkenhead, who worked alongside him in the TSG, called him a “genuinely nice person”.
When I heard what had happened I knew it would be him because that’s just the sort of guy he was, to step straight in when others might step back. He had a great work ethic, he worked on our warrants’ car for years, getting up at 4am to serve warrants and arresting wanted offenders. He was always so positive, always staying late after everyone else and getting in early.
In his personal life he was a massive Charlton Athletic fan and had a season ticket. We will miss him so much.
Insp Mark Turner, from the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command, who most recently worked withPalmer, said:
He really was a solid reliable member of the team – he came in and just got the job done, quietly and efficiently. He was a fantastic member of staff and will be sorely missed.
As a mark of respect, Palmer’s shoulder number – 4157U – will be retired and not reissued to any other officer.
Updated
at 4.15pm GMT
4.02pm GMT
16:02
My Westminster colleague Peter Walker is on the newly reopened Westminster Bridge, where floral tributes are being left.
With Westminster Bridge now open, the floral tributes are arriving. Some moving messages. pic.twitter.com/0TCigitTsi
I was chatting to a family from Norwich who made detour to Westminster Bridge to leave flowers: "It seemed like the right thing to do."
Updated
at 4.12pm GMT
3.54pm GMT
15:54
Jeremy Corbyn has been laying flowers on Westminster Bridge as a tribute to those killed yesterday. He also said he had signed the book of condolence for PC Keith Palmer. He said Palmer was “a great man who did a great job in parliament”.
Updated
at 4.21pm GMT
3.48pm GMT
15:48
Nazia Parveen
A woman from an inner-city Birmingham estate that was raided by anti-terror police has claimed the dead London terrorist was her neighbour.
Iwona Romek, a factory worker who did not know the attacker’s name, described the killer as a father who was a keen gardener and lived with his Asian wife and young child.
Romek, 45, who has lived in Quayside in Winson Green for 12 years, confirmed she knew the London terrorist when she was shown a photograph of him on the stretcher.
I have been so shocked by it all. They were a nice family, very reserved. He was very calm. I saw the photos on the TV and knew it was the man who lived here. He had a wife, a young Asian woman, and a small child who went to school.
Romek said the family moved out a few months ago. The house is now occupied by new tenants. On Thursday afternoon a police van remained parked outside the white front door.
He was a nice guy. I used to see him outside doing his garden. Never any trouble.
Romek said the man and his family moved out around Christmas very suddenly and did not say goodbye.
Describing the late-night raid, she said officers had swarmed the terraced mews house.
I just heard a lot of banging and shouting. They were shouting to open the door. It was all a bit scary. There was a helicopter above and men in white suits.
Updated
at 5.11pm GMT
3.46pm GMT
15:46
The JustGiving page set up to support the family of PC Keith Palmer has now raised more than £100,000, a spokesman for the site said. It is now the fastest growing JustGiving crowdfunding page in history.
The site reached its £100,000 target in just over six hours with donations from more than 5,500 members of the public. JustGiving has also made a donation of £10,000.
People have also been donating to the London air ambulance.
About £10,000 has been donated overnight to @LDNairamb in thanks for the efforts of its medics yesterday. To donate £5, text SAVE to 70800
Updated
at 3.55pm GMT
3.33pm GMT
15:33
Heather Stewart
Boris Johnson is addressing the UN security council in New York on Thursday. He was in Washington when the attack took place, where he was offered President Trump’s personal condolences by vice-president Mike Pence.
Sources close to the former mayor of London said he was “shocked and disgusted” by the attack on his home city and that the terrorist attack underlined the importance of confronting Daesh [Isis], the topic of yesterday’s talks in the US capital. He is expected to travel on to Turkey, where he will discuss heightened aviation security measures.
This is what he tweeted about the attack yesterday.
Heartbreaking. This is not the first attack on London or our Parliament - and won't be the last - but our values will prevail.
Nations around the world are pouring out their sympathies for us today. This is a fight we're all in together.
Updated
at 3.39pm GMT
3.33pm GMT
15:33
Khalid Masood was known to police but not subject of surveillance
Masood, 52, was born in Kent and detectives believe he was most recently living in the West Midlands. Masood was also known by a number of aliases, police said in a statement.
Scotland Yard said Masood was not the subject of any current investigations and there was no prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack.
However, he was known to police and had a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences.
His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife.
He had not been convicted for any terrorism offences.
Anyone with any information about Masood can call the anti-terrorist hotline 0800 789 321.
Updated
at 3.38pm GMT