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London attack: police confirm seven people arrested – live London attack: police confirm seven people arrested – live
(35 minutes later)
10.11am GMT
10:11
The Conservative MP Gavin Barwell has written a good post about yesterday’s attack on his blog . Here’s an extract.
It was also an attack on your parliament. Make no mistake: it is your parliament. One of my favourite parts of the job is showing constituents around the building. Although sadly it behaves like a private members club at times, it is the place where the people you choose to represent you come together to decide how we should go forward as a country. For all its faults, it is at the centre of our national life and that is why it was targeted yesterday ...
I spent nearly five hours yesterday locked in the chamber and voting lobbies of the House of Commons with about 350 other MPs. We watched the news on TV, shared mobile phone chargers so that we could reassure loved ones we were ok and talked about the work we do. It was a reminder that although we spend most of our time arguing about Brexit, austerity, the future of our Union and so many other things, those arguments obscure the fact that there is more that unites us than divides us. We are all committed to democracy, to the idea that the way we resolve our differences is through debate, sometime passionate argument, but never violence. If politics sometimes frustrates you (it certainly frustrates me at times), that is something worth holding onto, indeed something worth giving your life to defend - as PC Keith Palmer did so heroically yesterday.
9.54am GMT
09:54
Severin Carrell
The Scottish parliament’s debate and vote on calling for a new independence referendum will resume on Tuesday 28 March – the day before Theresa May triggers article 50 to begin the Brexit process.
That vote on Tuesday evening will almost certainly give Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, Holyrood’s approval to ask May for the legal powers to stage the referendum just before the prime minister begins the process for leaving the UK.
The final 90 minutes of debate and the vote on Sturgeon’s referendum motion, plus four opposition party amendments, were suspended at 15.55 on Wednesday in solidarity with the Westminster parliament after the terror attacks.
With its flags flying at half mast, Holyrood’s business bureau met on Thursday morning but opted not to abandon today’s sessions to resume the referendum debate immediately.
Instead, there will be a ministerial statement on childcare and a debate on British sign language.
@ScotParl confirms #indyref2 debate and vote now on Tuesday 28 March; party leaders to use #FMQs to mark #Westminster attack pic.twitter.com/hnEqeS6CRm
Updated
at 9.56am GMT
9.52am GMT
09:52
Jon Henley
French authorities have launched an inquiry into the London attack after it became clear three French schoolchildren were wounded, two of them seriously.
The counter-terrorism section of the Paris public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into “attempted assassination related to a terrorist enterprise”.
The investigation, which is standard procedure in France when French nationals are victims of violence abroad, is in the hands of the DGSI internal intelligence agency.
The children were part of a group on a week-long visit to London from the Saint-Joseph de Concarneau lycée in Brittany.
About a dozen members of the group, aged 15 to 16, are believed to have been on Westminster Bridge when the Hyundai car ploughed into them.
Updated
at 9.57am GMT
9.48am GMT
09:48
Andrew Sparrow
The Commons is now sitting in the normal way. Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, is taking questions. It is not quite “business as usual”, because some of the roads around the Houses of Parliament remain closed, and New Palace Yard, where PC Keith Palmer was stabbed, is still being treated as a crime scene, and forensic officers are currently at work on the site. But MPs, peers and other who work on the parliamentary estate (such as journalists like myself) have been able to come into the building without hindrance.
Updated
at 10.02am GMT
9.46am GMT
09:46
Vikram Dodd
There is already concern that policing is being stretched by the extra resources needed after the Westminster attack.
Those extra demands are affecting not only the Met but forces outside the capital.
In one force outside London, firearms officers finished an extended shift late on Wednesday, only to be recalled for an early start on Thursday.
Annual leave has been cancelled and officers are working extended shift patterns, up from eight hours to about 12 hours and sometimes more.
Updated
at 10.00am GMT
9.46am GMT
09:46
MacKey says he was a witness to the attack on PC Palmer and said it was his duty to secure his evidence before taking over the lead on the investigation.
9.45am GMT
09:45
MacKey urges anyone in the city if they are concerned or worried to approach the police and talk to them. His voice is cracking as he says the response is large and covers all of London and all parts of national government.
MacKey says the work done over many years, practising for scenarios like this, has helped but nothing prepares families for when events like this happen.
He will attend the cabinet’s Cobra committee later this morning.
Updated
at 10.01am GMT
9.43am GMT
09:43
Craig Mackey, the Met’s acting commissioner, is speaking now to gathered staff and journalists.
He says the support of Londoners has been invaluable and ensures the police can do the job they are entrusted to do. Mackey says he is leading the response and the investigation is ongoing.
9.38am GMT9.38am GMT
09:3809:38
A service is now taking place in front of Scotland Yard, in front of the flame that burns as a tribute to all dead Metropolitan police officers. A pray is being read by the Met’s chaplain, Rev Jonathan Osborne.A service is now taking place in front of Scotland Yard, in front of the flame that burns as a tribute to all dead Metropolitan police officers. A pray is being read by the Met’s chaplain, Rev Jonathan Osborne.
Cressida Dick, the incoming Met commissioner, Craig Mackay, the acting commissioner and other officers held a minute’s silence in front of the “eternal flame” alight outside New Scotland Yard on Victoria embankment, within sight of Westminster bridge.
The new headquarters was set to be formally opened by the Queen on Thursday but the ceremony was cancelled.
Updated
at 9.42am GMT
9.35am GMT9.35am GMT
09:3509:35
The Commons chamber is packed. MPs are standing to observe the silence.The Commons chamber is packed. MPs are standing to observe the silence.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.38am GMTat 9.38am GMT
9.34am GMT9.34am GMT
09:3409:34
At Westminster a minute’s silence is being observed in honour of the victims of yesterday’s attack.At Westminster a minute’s silence is being observed in honour of the victims of yesterday’s attack.
9.31am GMT9.31am GMT
09:3109:31
The Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron was outside Portcullis House, the building which houses MPs offices just next to the Houses of Parliament, as the chaos unfolded on Westminster Bridge.The Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron was outside Portcullis House, the building which houses MPs offices just next to the Houses of Parliament, as the chaos unfolded on Westminster Bridge.
He said he was meeting his local hospital trust but was about to head to the chamber when the division bell rang for a vote, via the underground tunnel which links two buildings.He said he was meeting his local hospital trust but was about to head to the chamber when the division bell rang for a vote, via the underground tunnel which links two buildings.
As we went underneath, it was clear the sea of people had suddenly reversed and was heading the other way. There was a noise, retrospectively you might think it was a bang or gunshot but I couldn’t say for sure.As we went underneath, it was clear the sea of people had suddenly reversed and was heading the other way. There was a noise, retrospectively you might think it was a bang or gunshot but I couldn’t say for sure.
Farron left the building via the MPs’ exit on to the embankment. He said he saw the horror but also “amazing things, the running towards danger of staff at St Thomas”.Farron left the building via the MPs’ exit on to the embankment. He said he saw the horror but also “amazing things, the running towards danger of staff at St Thomas”.
Let’s not forget, not least the sacrifice of Keith Palmer, but the others who came to the aid of those suffering, even though doing so was putting themselves in harm’s way.Let’s not forget, not least the sacrifice of Keith Palmer, but the others who came to the aid of those suffering, even though doing so was putting themselves in harm’s way.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.34am GMTat 9.34am GMT
9.28am GMT9.28am GMT
09:2809:28
Yesterday the anti-immigrant right, which in the past has sought to use terror attacks to justify its political stance, was generally silent. The Ukip leader Paul Nuttall put out a statement including a line saying “in the coming hours and days more information will doubtlessly emerge about the attacker or attackers and their motivation” but the press release focused on praising the emergency services and expressing sympathy for the victims.Yesterday the anti-immigrant right, which in the past has sought to use terror attacks to justify its political stance, was generally silent. The Ukip leader Paul Nuttall put out a statement including a line saying “in the coming hours and days more information will doubtlessly emerge about the attacker or attackers and their motivation” but the press release focused on praising the emergency services and expressing sympathy for the victims.
This morning, though, Leave.EU, the leave campaign run by the Nigel Farage ally and onetime Ukip donor Arron Banks, has put out a lengthy statement essentially blaming the attack on mass immigration. It says:This morning, though, Leave.EU, the leave campaign run by the Nigel Farage ally and onetime Ukip donor Arron Banks, has put out a lengthy statement essentially blaming the attack on mass immigration. It says:
We are sick, tired but perhaps even more so we are angry that recent governments across Europe have enabled these attacks through grossly negligible policies that have left us vulnerable. How many times must we #PrayForNice? For Brussels? Berlin? Paris? London? The list is endless.We are sick, tired but perhaps even more so we are angry that recent governments across Europe have enabled these attacks through grossly negligible policies that have left us vulnerable. How many times must we #PrayForNice? For Brussels? Berlin? Paris? London? The list is endless.
The statement is not attributed to anyone by name.The statement is not attributed to anyone by name.
9.19am GMT9.19am GMT
09:1909:19
Candlelight vigil in London this eveningCandlelight vigil in London this evening
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has issued an open invitation to all Londoners and visitors to the capital to a candlelight vigil in Trafalgar Square from 6pm this evening.The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has issued an open invitation to all Londoners and visitors to the capital to a candlelight vigil in Trafalgar Square from 6pm this evening.
This is the statement from City Hall:This is the statement from City Hall:
The mayor is asking everyone to come together in solidarity to remember those who have lost their lives, to express sympathy with their families and loved ones and to show the world that we are more committed than ever to the values that we hold dear – that we remain united and open.The mayor is asking everyone to come together in solidarity to remember those who have lost their lives, to express sympathy with their families and loved ones and to show the world that we are more committed than ever to the values that we hold dear – that we remain united and open.
London is the greatest city in the world. We will never be cowed by terrorism. We stand together, in the face of those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life. We always have, and we always will.London is the greatest city in the world. We will never be cowed by terrorism. We stand together, in the face of those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life. We always have, and we always will.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.22am GMTat 9.22am GMT
9.16am GMT9.16am GMT
09:1609:16
West Midlands police confirm arrests made in BirminghamWest Midlands police confirm arrests made in Birmingham
West Midlands police have confirmed arrests were made at the addresses raided in Birmingham.West Midlands police have confirmed arrests were made at the addresses raided in Birmingham.
A statement from the force said the arrests and searches were intelligence-led and there was no immediate risk to public safety.A statement from the force said the arrests and searches were intelligence-led and there was no immediate risk to public safety.
Extra officers will be out on patrol throughout the next few days in Birmingham, the force said.Extra officers will be out on patrol throughout the next few days in Birmingham, the force said.
WMP’s assistant chief constable Marcus Beale, who leads on counter-terrorism for the force, said:WMP’s assistant chief constable Marcus Beale, who leads on counter-terrorism for the force, said:
We work tirelessly to counter terrorism. Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety and security of the people who live, work and visit the West Midlands area.We work tirelessly to counter terrorism. Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety and security of the people who live, work and visit the West Midlands area.
Our policing tactics and security measures are being reviewed on a daily basis – we, along with our partners, are working around the clock to keep Birmingham and our other cities as safe as can be.Our policing tactics and security measures are being reviewed on a daily basis – we, along with our partners, are working around the clock to keep Birmingham and our other cities as safe as can be.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.20am GMTat 9.20am GMT
9.09am GMT9.09am GMT
09:0909:09
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
Birmingham has long been home to violent jihadis attracted to plotting and supporting terrorism.Birmingham has long been home to violent jihadis attracted to plotting and supporting terrorism.
The chief constable of the West Midlands, Dave Thompson, has said that the area was second only to London for the number of terror plots linked to it.The chief constable of the West Midlands, Dave Thompson, has said that the area was second only to London for the number of terror plots linked to it.
In a Guardian interview last year, Thompson said the rise of Isis, which he referred to as Daesh, had led to a very high “intensity and determination” of terrorist threat, he said.In a Guardian interview last year, Thompson said the rise of Isis, which he referred to as Daesh, had led to a very high “intensity and determination” of terrorist threat, he said.
Thompson said there were differences between how al-Qaida had tried to attract British recruits and Isis’s approach. Key to this was Isis’s declaration of a hardline, pan-national Islamist state.Thompson said there were differences between how al-Qaida had tried to attract British recruits and Isis’s approach. Key to this was Isis’s declaration of a hardline, pan-national Islamist state.
There is something around the concept of Daesh, the concept of a caliphate that is drawing people to that. And I think there is a greater sophistication in the approach taken to radicalise people through more digital means, and I think that has driven a different face of the challenge we’ve faced over the last few years.”There is something around the concept of Daesh, the concept of a caliphate that is drawing people to that. And I think there is a greater sophistication in the approach taken to radicalise people through more digital means, and I think that has driven a different face of the challenge we’ve faced over the last few years.”
The Hagley Road area of Bearwood, where one raid by police took place, is close to the Birmingham city centre, barely a mile away.The Hagley Road area of Bearwood, where one raid by police took place, is close to the Birmingham city centre, barely a mile away.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.16am GMTat 9.16am GMT
9.06am GMT9.06am GMT
09:0609:06
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has been giving interviews about the Westminster attack this morning. Here are some of the points he made.Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has been giving interviews about the Westminster attack this morning. Here are some of the points he made.
Khan refused to directly hit back at Donald Trump Jr, who used a tweet yesterday to criticise Khan for a comment he made last year about terror attacks being “part and parcel of living in a big city”. Trump’s comments have been strongly criticised. Here is the tweet.Khan refused to directly hit back at Donald Trump Jr, who used a tweet yesterday to criticise Khan for a comment he made last year about terror attacks being “part and parcel of living in a big city”. Trump’s comments have been strongly criticised. Here is the tweet.
You have to be kidding me?!: Terror attacks are part of living in big city, says London Mayor Sadiq Khan https://t.co/uSm2pwRTjOYou have to be kidding me?!: Terror attacks are part of living in big city, says London Mayor Sadiq Khan https://t.co/uSm2pwRTjO
Asked about this tweet Khan said:Asked about this tweet Khan said:
I’m not going to respond to tweets by Donald Trump. What I will say is this: the threat level in London and our country remains the same. It’s severe. That means, according to the experts, an attack is highly likely. The commissioner who just retired said last year that, as far as an attack was concerned, it was a matter of when, not if. Thankfully the police and security services practise for such incidents. One, I’m afraid, happened yesterday.I’m not going to respond to tweets by Donald Trump. What I will say is this: the threat level in London and our country remains the same. It’s severe. That means, according to the experts, an attack is highly likely. The commissioner who just retired said last year that, as far as an attack was concerned, it was a matter of when, not if. Thankfully the police and security services practise for such incidents. One, I’m afraid, happened yesterday.
He said policing in London was constantly evolving as new threats emerged.He said policing in London was constantly evolving as new threats emerged.
One of the reasons I believe our police service, our security services, are the best in the world is we evolve and adapt as the terrorists, those who seek to harm us, evolve and adapt and find new ways to kill us and destroy our way of live. So you have seen across London bollards, in lay person’s terms, for the additional security measures that have been taken over the last couple of years now. You have seen the additional searches done by the police when it comes to vehicles and when it comes to intelligence-led stop and search. That’s going to carry on. And you will see over the last 24 hours additional measures taken.One of the reasons I believe our police service, our security services, are the best in the world is we evolve and adapt as the terrorists, those who seek to harm us, evolve and adapt and find new ways to kill us and destroy our way of live. So you have seen across London bollards, in lay person’s terms, for the additional security measures that have been taken over the last couple of years now. You have seen the additional searches done by the police when it comes to vehicles and when it comes to intelligence-led stop and search. That’s going to carry on. And you will see over the last 24 hours additional measures taken.
He said we must not let terrorists destroy our way of life.He said we must not let terrorists destroy our way of life.
We must never accept terrorists being successful. We must never accept that terrorists can destroy our life or destroy the way we lead our lives. We must never accept politicians not being accessible to the public. We must never accept a situation where people try and divide Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus from each other, of those who are not members of organised faiths. We must never accept a situation where people can incite hatred against people because of the faith they belong to.We must never accept terrorists being successful. We must never accept that terrorists can destroy our life or destroy the way we lead our lives. We must never accept politicians not being accessible to the public. We must never accept a situation where people try and divide Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus from each other, of those who are not members of organised faiths. We must never accept a situation where people can incite hatred against people because of the faith they belong to.
When you think about why terrorists want to attack London, it’s because they hate the fact that we don’t simply tolerate each other, whether you are a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, member of an organised faith or not, we respect, embrace and celebrate each other. And that’s going to carry on.When you think about why terrorists want to attack London, it’s because they hate the fact that we don’t simply tolerate each other, whether you are a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, member of an organised faith or not, we respect, embrace and celebrate each other. And that’s going to carry on.
I’m Andrew Sparrow. I will be blogging today with my colleague Jessica Elgot, who has been running the blog until now.I’m Andrew Sparrow. I will be blogging today with my colleague Jessica Elgot, who has been running the blog until now.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.25am GMTat 9.25am GMT
9.01am GMT9.01am GMT
09:0109:01
The Guardian’s Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, reports that Holyrood will hold a minute’s silence this morning.The Guardian’s Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, reports that Holyrood will hold a minute’s silence this morning.
@ScotParl to hold one minute's silence at 09.33 today in solidarity with dead at #Westminster pic.twitter.com/s605RcJkgL@ScotParl to hold one minute's silence at 09.33 today in solidarity with dead at #Westminster pic.twitter.com/s605RcJkgL
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.23am GMTat 9.23am GMT