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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)
10.49am GMT 11.25am GMT
10:49 11:25
Corbyn says the injured include people from 10 nationalities. We send them our best wishes, he says. MP James Cleverly, friend of Keith Palmer, calls for posthumous award
He urges people to look after each other, to help one another and think of one another. James Cleverly, the Tory MP who knew Palmer during his time in the armed forces, has been paying a highly emotional tribute to his friends which has moved MPs across all sides of the House. May was emotional too in her response.
It is by looking after each other that we will defeat the poison and hatred. We’ll post the full quotes shortly.
10.47am GMT 11.22am GMT
10:47 11:22
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, is responding. Theresa May's statement - Summary
He says we are united by the human impulse of solidarity. MPs from all sides of the Commons have been praising Theresa May for the tone and the language she used in her statement to the Commons about the Westminster terror attack. It is routine for prime ministers to respond to terrorist killings by saying that democracy will prevail, but May delivered that message this morning with great dignity and sincerity.
He praises PC Keith Palmer. Here are the key points.
We thank the police who keep us safe, he says. The police and security staff lost a colleague, but continue to do their duty. May said that attacker was a British-born man who had been investigated in the past in relation to violent extremism, by only as “a peripheral figure”. But he had not been a current suspect, she said.
We see the police every day, he says. When dangerous incidents take place, we run away. But they run towards danger, he says. His identity is known to the police and MI5, and when operational considerations allow, he will be publicly identified. What I can confirm is that the man was British born and that – some years ago – he was once investigated by M15 in relation to concerns about violent extremism. He was a peripheral figure. The case is historic – he was not part of the current intelligence picture.
He also praises Tobias Ellwood for using his skill yesterday to try to save PC Palmer’s life. She said the attackerwas thought to have acted alone and that the police “have no reason to believe there are imminent further attacks on the public”.
10.45am GMT She said the “working assumption” was that the attacker was “inspired by Islamist ideology”.
10:45 She gave details of the nationalities of those injured on Westminster Bridge. Two people were killed and about 40 more were injured, she said:
John Bercow says MPs have been joined today in the gallery by the French foreign minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault. In addition to 12 Britons admitted to hospital, we know that the victims include three French children, two Romanians, four South Koreans, one German, one Pole, one Irish, one Chinese, one Italian, one American and two Greeks.
Bercow says that MPs appreciate his presence and solidarity. She said the police would increase the number of patrols in cities “as a precautionary measure”.
She described the attack as “an attack on free people everywhere”.
She said the “best response to terrorism” was for people to carry with their lives as normal.
It is in these actions – millions of acts of normality – that we find the best response to terrorism.
A response that denies our enemies their victory. That refuses to let them win. That shows we will never give in.
A response driven by that same spirit that drove a husband and father to put himself between us and our attacker, and to pay the ultimate price.
A response that says to the men and women who propagate this hate and evil: you will not defeat us.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.48am GMT at 11.25am GMT
10.44am GMT 11.17am GMT
10:44 11:17
May says yesterday we saw the worst of humanity. But we will remember the best. Josh Halliday
We will remember the efforts to save PC Keith Palmer’s life, including by Tobias Ellwood. One of the Edge Hill University students who was struck by the terrorist’s 4x4 has this morning thanked the emergency services. Owen Lambert, 18, was was on Westminster Bridge when the vehicle ploughed into pedestrians, killing two and leaving dozens more injured.
She pays tribute to the emergency services. That they have lost one of their own only makes their calmness and professionalism all the more remarkable. Owen, who received stitches for a head wound, said on Thursday: “Battered and bruised but doing fine, massive thanks to Metropolitan Police and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for helping me through this ordeal and an even bigger thanks to all my family and friends for supporting me every step of the way.”
She says the greatest response lies in the actions of ordinary people. His fellow student, Travis Frain, suffered a cracked rib plus hand and arm injuries. His mother, Angela Frain, said last night that he was “okay” and in “good spirits”. He is expected to remain in hospital for several days.
Millions of people are going about their ordinary lives, she says. The students were among a group of 13 undergraduates and a lecturer from Edge Hill University in Ormskirk on the first day of a two-day field trip to Parliament.Nine of the students are expected to return to Ormskirk later on Thursday.
People will be boarding buses and trains to come to London as she speaks, she says, to see the best city on earth. 11.15am GMT
This is the response that shows we will never give in to terrorism. 11:15
It is the same spirit that drove a husband and father to put himself between us and th attack, and to pay the ultimate price. Responding to Corbyn, May paid tribute both to the support received from France and to the bravery of the police. She said France too had “felt the horror and trauma of terrible terrorist attacks.”
Let this be the message for us today; our values will prevail. Police officers like Keith Palmer put their lives on the line every day, she said.
10.40am GMT Every day, when they put on that uniform, they don’t know what they are going to confront in the course of their duties that day.
10:40 It’s a fact often forgotten when people see the police officer walking on the streets that actually they do put their lives on the line for our safety and security. They show enormous bravery and we are grateful to them all.
May says British-born attacker was known to MI5 and had been investigated before, as 'peripheral figure' 11.12am GMT
May says she chaired a Cobra committee last night. 11:12
The threat level remains at “severe”. That means an attack is highly likely. But it will not be raised to the next level, because there is no intelligence that an attack is imminent. Here is the statement from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, where he called the attack “an appalling atrocity” but urged people not to rush to judgment.
She says police have been working through the night to establish all they can about the attack. What happened yesterday was an appalling atrocity. Today, we are united by our humanity, by our democratic values and by that human impulse for solidarity to stand together in times of darkness and adversity.
They have searched six addresses in London and Birmingham and eight people have been arrested. I express my condolences to the family and friends of PC Keith Palmer, who gave his life yesterday in defence of the public and our democracy – and to the loved ones of those still in a critical condition including the French schoolchildren visiting our capital from Concarneau in Brittany.
May says the attacker was “British-born” The injured include people of ten nationalities. Innocent people were killed yesterday walking across Westminster Bridge as many millions of Londoners and tourists have done before them.
May says attacker was known to MI5. I thank all the dedicated NHS staff working to save lives, including those from St Thomas’ Hospital who rushed out to help those in need. We are grateful for the public service workers who yesterday, today and every day they pull on their uniforms.
He was investigated some years ago in relation to extremist terrorism. But he was a “peripheral figure”. It behoves us all not to rush to judgement, but to wait for the police to establish the facts. We must stay united in our communities and not to allow fear or the voices of hatred to divide or cower us.
It is by demonstrating our values of solidarity, community, humanity and love that we will defeat the poison and division of hatred.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.47am GMT at 11.13am GMT
10.38am GMT 11.06am GMT
10:38 11:06
May says there is a limit to what she can say because of the police investigation. Attacker's car was rented from Enterprise in Birmingham area
But she can set out the basic facts. She says an attacker drove a car at pedestrians on Westminster Bridge. The attacker rented a car from an Enterprise branch within the Birmingham city area, sources have told the Guardian.
Those injured include: 12 Britons, three French, two Romanians, four South Koreans, one German, one Chinese, one Irish, one Italian, one American and two Greeks. A spokesperson for Enterprise Holdings said: “We can confirm that the car used in the tragic attack in London yesterday afternoon was one of ours.
Then the attacker tried to enter parliament. PC Keith Palmer was killed. “An employee identified the vehicle after seeing the licence plate in an image online. We ran another check to verify, and immediately contacted the authorities.
“We are cooperating fully with the authorities and will provide any assistance that we can to the investigation.
“Our thoughts are very much with the victims of this terrible tragedy.”
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at 10.42am GMT at 11.08am GMT
10.35am GMT 11.05am GMT
10:35 11:05
Theresa May is speaking now. Angus Robertson, the SNP Westminster leader, praised the prime minister for her statement.
She says a terrorist attack tried to disrupt democracy yesterday. But today MPs are carrying on as usual. Today of all days we are reminded that, notwithstanding our differences on political and constitutional issues, we are as one in our dedication to democracy, the rule of law and harmony between peoples of all faiths and none.
This was an attack on free people everywhere, she says. Does she agree with me that no terrorist outrage is representative of any faith or faith community and we recommit ourselves to strengthening the bonds of tolerance and understanding?
She thanks friends around the world who have said they stand by the UK. In the days to come I hope we will remember the love and bravery of the victim, not just the hatred and cowardice of the attackers.
The events sickened us all, she says. Others paying tribute in the house include the former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, former cabinet minister Theresa Villiers, former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman and Lib Dem leader Tim Farron.
Liberal Democrats leader @timfarron "Those who attack us hate our freedom, our peaceful democracy, our love of country" #London #Westminster pic.twitter.com/BednQLh839
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at 10.45am GMT at 11.10am GMT
10.34am GMT 11.01am GMT
10:34 11:01
John Bercow's statement Theresa May's statement - further key extracts
John Bercow, the Speaker, is making his own statement first. Here are more extracts from Theresa May’s statement.
He expresses condolences to the family and friends of victims of this outrage. Since June 2013 our police, security and intelligence agencies have successfully disrupted 13 separate terrorist plots in Britain.
He says PC Keith Palmer was killed defending MPs, parliament and parliamentary democracy. Mr Speaker, in terms of security here in Westminster, we should be clear first of all that an attacker attempted to break into Parliament and was shot dead within twenty yards of the gates. If his intention was to gain access to this building, we should be clear that he did not succeed.The police heroically did their job. But as is routine, the police together with the House authorities are reviewing the security of the Parliamentary estate, co-ordinated with the Cabinet Office, who have responsibility for the security measures in place around the Government secure zone. All of us in this House have a responsibility for the security and safety of our staff and advice is available for Members who need it.
Our hearts go out to all those touched by events yesterday. Mr Speaker, yesterday we saw the worst of humanity, but we will remember the best.
He thanks staff of the Commons and MPs’ staff for their forbearance. We will remember the extraordinary efforts to save the life of PC Keith Palmer, including those by my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Bournemouth East.
He says steps have been taken to keep the Commons safe. And we will remember the exceptional bravery of our police, security and emergency services who once again ran towards the danger even as they encouraged others to move the other way ...
In time the House of Commons commission, and its Lords counterpart, will review if more needs to be done. Mr Speaker, a lot has been said since terror struck London yesterday. Much more will be said in the coming days. But the greatest response lies not in the words of politicians, but in the everyday actions of ordinary people. For beyond these walls today – in scenes repeated in towns and cities across the country –millions of people are going about their days and getting on with their lives. The streets are as busy as ever. The offices full. The coffee shops and cafes bustling. As I speak millions will be boarding trains and aeroplanes to travel to London, and to see for themselves the greatest city on Earth.
He says the house has been able to carry on its business today undisturbed. It is in these actions – millions of acts of normality – that we find the best response to terrorism. A response that denies our enemies their victory. That refuses to let them win. That shows we will never give in. A response driven by that same spirit that drove a husband and father to put himself between us and our attacker, and to pay the ultimate price. A response that says to the men and women who propagate this hate and evil: you will not defeat us. Mr Speaker, let this be the message from this House and this nation today: our values will prevail. And I commend this statement to the House.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.37am GMT at 11.18am GMT
10.32am GMT 10.54am GMT
10:32 10:54
Two patients in St Thomas' hospital - both stable Theresa May's statement – key extracts
Two patients are being treated at St Thomas’ hospital following yesterday’s security incident in Westminster – one man and one woman. Both patients are in a stable condition. Rowena Mason
Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS foundation trust, said: Here are key extracts from Theresa May’s statement.
I would like to thank all staff who were involved in the response to the terrible event yesterday. The Trust’s major incident procedures have worked well, and there has been an excellent response from both clinical and non-clinical staff. Yesterday an act of terrorism tried to silence our democracy. But today we meet as normal, as generations have done before us and as future generations will continue to do, to deliver a simple message: we are not afraid and our resolve will never waver in the face ofterrorism.
My thoughts are with all affected by this appalling tragedy. And we meet here in the oldest of all parliaments because we know democracy and the values it entails will always prevail. Those values free speech, liberty, human rights and rule of law are embodied here in this place and shared by free people around the world.
A terrorist came to the place where people of all nationalities and culture gather to celebrate what it means to be free. He took out his rage indiscriminately on men, women and children. This was an attack on free people everywhere and on behalf of the British people I would like to thank our friends and allies around the world who have made it clear they stand with us.
What happened on the streets of Westminster sickened us all. While there is an ongoing police investigation, the House will understand there are limits to what I can say but having been updated by police and security officials let me set out what at this stage I can tell the house.
At approximately 2.40pm yesterday a single attacker drove his vehicle at speed into innocent pedestrians crossing Westminster Bridge, killing two people and injuring around 40 more. In addition to 12 Britons admitted to hospital, we know the victims include three French children, two Romanians, four South Koreans, one German, one Pole, one Irish, one Chinese, one Italian, one American and two Greeks. We are in close contacts with the governments of the countries of all those affected.
The injured also included three police officers returning from an event to recognise their bravery ... Two of those three remain in a serious condition. The attacker then left the vehicle and approached a police officer at Carriage Gates, attacking that officer with a large knife before he was shot dead by an armed police officer. Tragically 48 year old PC Keith Palmer was killed.
He was every inch a hero and his actions will never be forgotten.
I can confirm police have searched six addresses and made eight arrests in Birmingham and London. It is still believed this attacker acted alone and police have no reason to believe there are imminent further attacks on the public. His identity is known to the police and MI5.
When operational considerations allow he will be publicly identified.
What I can confirm is the man was British born and that some years ago he was once investigated by MI5 in relation to concerns about violent extremism. He was a peripheral figure. The case is historic. He is not part of the current intelligence picture.
There was no prior intelligence of his intent or the plot. Intensive investigations continue …
Our working assumption is that the attacker was inspired by Islamist ideology. We know the threat from Islamist terrorism is very real. But while the public should remain utterly vigilant they should not and will not be cowed by this threat.
We are stepping up policing to reassure the public and as a precautionary measure it will mean increasing patrols in cities across the country, with more police and more armed police on the streets.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.34am GMT at 11.01am GMT
10.31am GMT 10.49am GMT
10:31 10:49
Theresa May's statement to MPs Corbyn says the injured include people from 10 nationalities. We send them our best wishes, he says.
Theresa May is about to address MPs. He urges people to look after each other, to help one another and think of one another.
PM has taken her seat for her statement - watch live on @BBCParliament and BBC news It is by looking after each other that we will defeat the poison and hatred.
10.27am GMT
10:27
Rajeev Syal
The Metropolitan police and the parliamentary authorities are reviewing security arrangements around the Palace of Westminster after a knife-wielding terrorist was able to access the estate.
Focus will fall upon Carriage Gates, the vehicle entrance opening on to Parliament Square that is usually used by vehicles bearing ministers and selected staff.
Witnesses said the attacker crashed his car into the estate’s fence before running through Carriage Gates carrying two knives. He is said to have fatally attacked PC Keith Palmer, one of the unarmed officers patrolling near the gates, before being gunned down by armed officers.
Unarmed officers such as PC Palmer act as the public face of parliament at the entrance, whose imposing iron gates are the symbol of the estate.
These officers are not just the first line of defence but are often seen posing for pictures with tourists keen to take their photographs with a clear view of Victoria Tower, known as Big Ben.
Any review will examine procedures at the gates, which are often left unlocked or ajar because they are in frequent use.
Armed officers are usually seen several yards behind the unarmed officers. But just 50 yards beyond them on the other side of New Palace Yard, MPs and ministers can be seen frequently walking to and fro from parliament’s offices and the House of Commons’ chamber.
The dilemma for the security forces and the parliamentary authorities has been the same since the building was first established on the banks of the Thames in the 11th century: how to provide safety without infringing the right of the public to turn up and lobby their constituency MP.
A senior parliamentary officer confirmed this morning that a security review is under way.The details of the review will remain confidential.
There are already airport-style checks at some parliamentary entrances,including those at St Stephen’s Gate and Portcullis House, the new building housing most MPs’ offices. There are no such checks at Carriage Gates.
Updated
at 10.40am GMT