We MPs will not be intimidated by this. The business of democracy will go on

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/mar/23/mps-democracy-parliament-police-bravery

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The streets around Westminster were abnormally quiet as I returned to parliament this morning. The usual bustle of rush hour traffic and crowds was missing. Allowed past the police checks, I ducked under the lines of police tape, and my thoughts turned to the victims of yesterday’s attack.

During my years as Northern Ireland secretary, I had the privilege of meeting many people who lost loved ones or suffered terrible injuries as a result of terrorism. So I am acutely conscious that the pain and suffering that results from events like these can last for decades for the families affected, long after the media focus has moved on. I feel a deep sense of sympathy for the relatives of those who died yesterday, especially the family of PC Keith Palmer, who gave his life to protect MPs and their staff.

The first inkling I had of the attack was when I was walking from my office in Portcullis House towards the House of Commons chamber to vote on the pensions bill. I had just come through New Palace Yard, and was entering the Palace of Westminster with other MPs when some men suddenly appeared from behind us and hustled everyone in through the door. I could hear shouting behind me.

The savage killing of Jo Cox did not cause us to retreat from public contact, and nor will yesterday’s horror

It was not clear how serious it was at that point. I assumed it was probably just a noisy demonstration in Parliament Square. Perhaps in other circumstances I may have walked back to see what was happening; but thankfully life in parliament programmes your behaviour to ensure that when the division bell goes, you always go towards the division lobby, never away from it. So I walked with other MPs along the corridor to the chamber, unaware that just a few feet away a number of my colleagues were witnessing shots fired and a police officer fighting for his life after suffering a brutal attack.

Emerging from the voting lobby a few minutes later, we were told by the deputy speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, that there was a major security incident, the sitting was suspended, and we were in lockdown. Once I had contacted staff, friends and family to let them know what was happening, all I could do was sit tight and wait for news. In the chamber and the voting lobbies MPs clustered round phones and tablets with live-stream news feeds: I am sure we all felt a deep sense of gratitude to the police for their bravery in responding to the attack, and working to keep us and our staff safe from harm.

I know from my time in government that responding to an atrocity of this kind is something for which the police and emergency services have been preparing for years. Ever since the terrorist killings in Mumbai, this kind of marauding attack has been viewed as one of the most serious security risks we face. Were it not for the prompt action of the police under the most difficult circumstances possible, the loss of life could have been much more severe yesterday. It is also the case that the painstaking work of the police and intelligence services has stopped hundreds of terror attacks over the years, saving many lives.

So today we go on with the business of democracy. The savage killing of Jo Cox did not cause us to retreat from public contact, and nor will yesterday’s horror. We will not be intimidated by people intent on attacking our democracy and our way of life. This parliament has served the nation for hundreds of years, and it will continue to do so.