This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2017/jun/03/london-bridge-closed-after-serious-police-incident-live

The article has changed 55 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 16 Version 17
London Bridge attack: six killed; three terror suspects shot dead by police – live updates London Bridge attack: six killed and three suspects shot dead by police – live updates
(35 minutes later)
9.08am BST
09:08
Andrew Sparrow
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said earlier that the general election should not be postponed. “They want to stop us voting on Thursday in the general election … we can’t allow them to do that,” he said. (See 7.22am.) Many politicians are likely to stay the same.
But, in practice, postponing the general election is not a realistic possibility anyway, because it would be extremely difficult. Many people have already cast postal ballots already. David Boothroyd, a parliamentary expert, reckons the government would have to declare a state of emergency for this to happen.
Some comments about postponing the election, but this is procedurally difficult as I don't think there's any legal ability to do so
Rule 42 of the Parliamentary Election Rules allows postponement of the poll in the event of riot - for one day: https://t.co/jytjosZIRp
So the only way to intervene in election timing would be to declare a state of emergency under the Civil Contingencies Act
There is provision in the Representation of the People Act for a general election to be delayed for a fortnight - but that only applies in the event of the monarch dying between the dissolution of parliament and polling day.
In 2001 Tony Blair did “delay” the general election for a month because of the foot and mouth outbreak. It was expected in May, but took place in June. But Blair had never actually announced that the general election would be in May - it was just widely assumed that it would coincide with the local elections, which were formally delayed - and so the comparison is not really relevant.
Updated
at 9.08am BST
8.57am BST
08:57
A man from New Zealand has been put in an induced coma after being seriously injured in the attacks, New Zealand media report.
Oliver Dowling, from Christchurch, was among those injured in the Borough Market stabbing, according to his family.
His sister, Freddy, says he’s in an induced coma after being stabbed in the face, neck and stomach. The injuries missed his vital organs, she says.
Updated
at 9.07am BST
8.54am BST
08:54
Note from editor of @thesundaytimes, sent to subscribers of newsletter this morning. pic.twitter.com/sjbfz69JXo
8.52am BST
08:52
Attackers shouted "this is for Allah" - eyewitnesses
Robert Booth
The BBC has spoken to eyewitnesses who heard one of the attackers shout “this is for Allah” before stabbing a woman several times.
Alex was in the Mudlark pub, close to Southwark Cathedral.
A woman probably in her early twenties staggered into the pub and she was bleeding heavily from the neck and from her mouth. It appeared to myself and to my friends that her throat had been cut. People went to her aid. The pub was then closed. We saw police on the roads nearby. As we were told to leave the area by armed police, as we were running away from there, I could see to my left there was a further individual having CPR performed on them by the emergency services.
Another witness, Eric, said:
Three men jumped out of the van and that’s when they started attacking people on the road. As they headed down the stairs, as they were running towards the people they were shouting this is for Allah.
Mark told the BBC he was taking photographs on London Bridge when he saw the van hitting pedestrians on the bridge.
It was swerving from side to side and I could see it hitting people and there was a group about 20 or 30 yards in front of me. The van hit those people. At that moment I was doing that calculation of trying to work out which direction should I run.
Ben was outside Borough tube station.
I saw a man in red with quite a large blade. I am guessing 10 inches. He was stabbing a man, maybe three times, fairly calmly. It looked like the man maybe had been trying to intervene but there wasn’t much he could do. He was stabbed quite coldly and slumped to the ground.
Gerard was in the Borough Market area as the three attackers ran through attacking people in with knives in two pubs and a restaurant. He said he was threatened, but fought them.
I threw something at them, maybe like a stool, a chair, and as I threw it at them it him one of them, maybe two of them on the head here, on the back. Then they ran towards me to try and stab me so I ran away because I knew if I would have slipped over I would be a dead man, I’d be dead, I’d have been killed there and then.
Updated
at 8.53am BST
8.47am BST
08:47
Corbyn - Labour party national campaigning suspended
Jamie Grierson
The leader of the Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn, has confirmed national campaigning has been suspended. He said:
We are all shocked and horrified by the brutal attacks in London. My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died and the many who have been injured. Today, we will all grieve for their loss.
I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their bravery and professionalism in acting to save lives and deal with these appalling acts of terrorism, as well as NHS staff and members of the public who sought to protect others.
The Labour party will be suspending national campaigning until this evening, after consultations with other parties, as a mark of respect for those who have died and suffered injury.
Those who wish to harm our people, divide our communities and attack our democracy will not succeed. We will stand together to defend our common values of solidarity, humanity and justice, and will not allow terrorists to derail our democratic process.
8.45am BST
08:45
Jamie Grierson
Hi, Jamie Grierson here, taking over live coverage of the horrific terror attacks in London last night at London Bridge and Borough Market.
8.40am BST
08:40
What we know so far
Claire Phipps
The attacks
Six people have been killed in a terrorist attack in London late on Saturday night.
Attackers drove a van across London Bridge, deliberately targeting pedestrians, before leaving the vehicle and stabbing passersby in Borough Market.
The three suspects – all male – were shot dead by armed police, who arrived on the scene eight minutes after the first emergency call was made.
Canisters seen around the body of at least one of the suspects have been “established to be hoaxes”, police said.
At least 48 people have been taken to five hospitals across the capital to be treated for their injuries. Some are in a serious condition. Other walking wounded were treated at the scene or at a rescue centre set up in a hotel at Liverpool Street.
An officer from the British Transport police was among those seriously injured. He was one of the first officers on the scene and suffered wounds to his face, head and leg.
At least two French citizens and one Australian citizen are also among the wounded.
The names of those killed – and the perpetrators – are not yet known.
No related arrests have been reported, and police say they believe the three men shot dead were the people directly responsible for the attack. The investigation into a possible wider network continues.
A crashed van abandoned at the scene on Borough high street appeared to be a B&Q/Hertz hire van.
A stabbing in Vauxhall on Saturday night was not connected to the terror attacks, police confirmed.
The reaction
The prime minister, Theresa May, is chairing a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee this morning. London mayor Sadiq Khan will attend.
Campaigning for Thursday’s general election has been suspended, with the Conservatives and the SNP saying they would not campaign today, and other major parties expected to follow suit.
World leaders have expressed condolences, with German chancellor Angela Merkel expressing her “sadness and dismay” and French president Emmanuel Macron saying France was “more than ever” at the side of the UK.
But US president Donald Trump faced criticism after using the London attacks to argue for his travel ban.
A concert in Manchester on Sunday evening in support of those killed and injured in the attack on that city less than a fortnight ago, will go ahead, organisers say. Ariana Grande, whose concert at Manchester Arena was targeted and who will perform this evening, tweeted her support for those affected by the London attack:
Praying for London ♡
Updated
at 8.48am BST
8.29am BST8.29am BST
08:2908:29
The Scottish National party will also suspend campaigning for the general election today.The Scottish National party will also suspend campaigning for the general election today.
Party leader and Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would chair a meeting of the devolved government’s resilience committee to discuss the attack.Party leader and Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would chair a meeting of the devolved government’s resilience committee to discuss the attack.
Sturgeon said:Sturgeon said:
Following the horrific terrorist attack in the centre of London last night, we are working closely with the UK government and Police Scotland to monitor the situation …Following the horrific terrorist attack in the centre of London last night, we are working closely with the UK government and Police Scotland to monitor the situation …
My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives and with everyone who has been harmed or affected by these terrible incidents.My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives and with everyone who has been harmed or affected by these terrible incidents.
8.25am BST8.25am BST
08:2508:25
The meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee is beginning shortly; ministers are arriving at Downing Street. London mayor Sadiq Khan will also attend.The meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee is beginning shortly; ministers are arriving at Downing Street. London mayor Sadiq Khan will also attend.
8.23am BST8.23am BST
08:2308:23
The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has expressed her “sadness and dismay” at news of the attack:The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has expressed her “sadness and dismay” at news of the attack:
Today, we are united beyond all borders in horror and sorrow, but also in determination.Today, we are united beyond all borders in horror and sorrow, but also in determination.
In the fight against every form of terrorism, we stand firmly and with determination at Britain’s side.In the fight against every form of terrorism, we stand firmly and with determination at Britain’s side.
8.18am BST8.18am BST
08:1808:18
At least 48 injured people were taken to hospitals across the capital after the attack.At least 48 injured people were taken to hospitals across the capital after the attack.
Fourteen of them – six women and eight men – were taken to King’s College hospital, in Denmark Hill, south London. A spokesman for the hospital said this morning:Fourteen of them – six women and eight men – were taken to King’s College hospital, in Denmark Hill, south London. A spokesman for the hospital said this morning:
The emergency department at King’s College hospital received 14 casualties (six females and eight males) following the incidents at London Bridge and Borough Market in central London.The emergency department at King’s College hospital received 14 casualties (six females and eight males) following the incidents at London Bridge and Borough Market in central London.
One patient has been discharged.One patient has been discharged.
8.14am BST8.14am BST
08:1408:14
Robert BoothRobert Booth
The BBC has spoken to several eyewitnesses who have given accounts of several stages of the attack. Mark told the BBC he was taking photographs on London Bridge when he saw the van hitting pedestrians on the bridge:The BBC has spoken to several eyewitnesses who have given accounts of several stages of the attack. Mark told the BBC he was taking photographs on London Bridge when he saw the van hitting pedestrians on the bridge:
It was swerving from side to side and I could see it hitting people and there was a group about 20 or 30 yards in front of me. The van hit those people. At that moment I was doing that calculation of trying to work out which direction should I run.It was swerving from side to side and I could see it hitting people and there was a group about 20 or 30 yards in front of me. The van hit those people. At that moment I was doing that calculation of trying to work out which direction should I run.
Ben was outside Borough tube station:Ben was outside Borough tube station:
I saw a man in red with quite a large blade. I am guessing 10 inches. He was stabbing a man, maybe three times, fairly calmly. It looked like the man maybe had been trying to intervene but there wasn’t much he could do. He was stabbed quite coldly and slumped to the ground.I saw a man in red with quite a large blade. I am guessing 10 inches. He was stabbing a man, maybe three times, fairly calmly. It looked like the man maybe had been trying to intervene but there wasn’t much he could do. He was stabbed quite coldly and slumped to the ground.
Gerard was in the Borough Market area as the three attackers ran through attacking people in with knives in two pubs and a restaurant. He said he was threatened, but fought back:Gerard was in the Borough Market area as the three attackers ran through attacking people in with knives in two pubs and a restaurant. He said he was threatened, but fought back:
I threw something at them, maybe like a stool, a chair, and as I threw it at them it him one of them, maybe two of them on the head here, on the back. Then they ran towards me to try and stab me so I ran away because I knew if I would have slipped over I would be a dead man, I’d be dead, I’d have been killed there and then.I threw something at them, maybe like a stool, a chair, and as I threw it at them it him one of them, maybe two of them on the head here, on the back. Then they ran towards me to try and stab me so I ran away because I knew if I would have slipped over I would be a dead man, I’d be dead, I’d have been killed there and then.
Alex was in the Mudlark pub, close to Southwark Cathedral:Alex was in the Mudlark pub, close to Southwark Cathedral:
A woman probably in her early 20s staggered into the pub and she was bleeding heavily from the neck and from her mouth. It appeared to myself and to my friends that her throat had been cut. People went to her aid.A woman probably in her early 20s staggered into the pub and she was bleeding heavily from the neck and from her mouth. It appeared to myself and to my friends that her throat had been cut. People went to her aid.
The pub was then closed. We saw police on the roads nearby. As we were told to leave the area by armed police, as we were running away from there, I could see to my left there was a further individual having CPR performed on them by the emergency services.The pub was then closed. We saw police on the roads nearby. As we were told to leave the area by armed police, as we were running away from there, I could see to my left there was a further individual having CPR performed on them by the emergency services.
8.02am BST
08:02
Following French media reports that at least two French citizens were injured in the attack, here is the statement from the president’s office:
The statement from the Élysée said:
The attack which struck London, days after that which took place in Manchester, is a new abominable and cowardly attack against our free society.
Fellow French citizens are among the injured. France is putting everything in place to assist them.
7.56am BST
07:56
Peter Walker
The Conservatives have suspended national election campaigning after the terrorist attack on London Bridge in which at least six people were killed and the three attackers shot dead by police.
While local work such as leafleting would go on, the party said it had decided to not campaign nationally on Sunday, with the suspension to be reviewed over the day, and as more details emerge of the attack and its aftermath.
Other parties had yet to comment, but it appeared likely both Labour and the Liberal Democrats would follow suit, with the election just four days away.
It is the second terrorism-related suspension of the campaign – it stopped for three days after last month’s suicide bomb attack in Manchester, which killed 22 people.
We're binning Marr show this morning to allow rolling news coverage but will talk to E Thornberry and D Davis for political reaction
Following the London terror attack the Andrew Marr Show and Sunday Politics have been cancelled
7.51am BST
07:51
My colleague Hannah Ellis-Petersen is in Borough this morning:
Dozens of people who live in the Borough market area or were staying at hotels nearby have spent the night sleeping in the lobby of the Hilton London Bridge, huddled under duvets on chairs and makeshift beds made from sofas and benches.
Ian, who lives on the riverfront near Borough market and has not been allowed back to his flat, said he had been eating at Fish restaurant on the other side of Borough market from the attack when at around 10.15pm they noticed people running past the window screaming.
“We started to notice people running past rather frantically, but we didn’t think too much about it initially because it’s Saturday night,” he said. “But suddenly we noticed the manager telling people to come inside, so I realised something was wrong. They brought us all into the restaurant kitchen where there were no windows, because the whole restaurant is glass.
“Then around 11am, the police came storming in and said ‘follow us with your hands on your head’ and they walked us all to a safe position the other side of London bridge. There were policemen with guns lining the whole area where we walked but we didn’t really have time to notice anything around.
“There was complete panic but I must say the police handled it very professionally.”
7.47am BST
07:47
Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says one Australian has been injured, and officials are looking into reports a second was also caught up in the attack:
One case has been confirmed and the Australian concerned is in hospital. In the other case, we are continuing to make inquiries.
Our officials will continue to provide every assistance they can to Australians affected by this shocking attack and their families.
7.44am BST
07:44
A man reported missing by friends overnight has been located in hospital, where he is intensive care, Press Association reports:
Geoff Ho, a business editor with the Sunday Express, is in intensive care after allegedly being stabbed.
Friends had tweeted that Ho was put in an ambulance after being injured near the Southwark Tavern.
His friend Isabelle Oderberg tweeted: “We have found Geoff. He is in intensive care.
“Thank you for the RTs and messages. I’ll be going offline now until I hear more.”
The Metropolitan Police has a casualty bureau for anyone concerned about friends or relatives. There are two numbers to call:
0800 096 1233
020 7158 0197
7.33am BST
07:33
My colleague Alice Ross is at the Andaz hotel in Liverpool Street, which was used overnight as a rescue centre for less seriously injured victims of the attack:
Arthur Ventura, from Birmingham, was staying at the Andaz hotel, where the walking wounded were taken. He was meeting a friend at about 11pm when he saw people arriving. “I saw a few victims or casualties that were taken here to the hotel,” he said.
“All the casualties were taken to the first floor to be treated.”
Ventura saw about four casualties, including a man with a head wound and another who was unable to walk properly. “There were no paramedics [at that time]: it was all staff helping people,” he said.
Staff were calm and helpful, giving out bottles of water and giving first aid to the wounded. “They weren’t panicking.”
Ventura went out for the evening. When he returned to the hotel at 5am security was tight. “There were still police and hotel staff were asking for ID,” he said. He was smoking outside, unable to sleep.
Three armed police at the hotel doors left at around 7am and a member of hotel staff said nobody involved in the incident was still at the hotel.
7.26am BST
07:26
At least two French citizens have been injured, one seriously, Reuters reports, citing the French president’s office.
7.22am BST
07:22
Sadiq Khan: election should not be postponed
Khan confirms he will be attending the government’s emergency Cobra committee meeting this morning.
He says, although campaigning is suspended today, Thursday’s general election should go ahead:
They [the terrorists] want to stop us enjoying the freedoms that we have … they want to stop us voting on Thursday in the general election … we can’t allow them to do that.
I’m not an advocate of postponing the election, I’m a passionate believer in democracy … One of the things these terrorists hate is democracy.
People should remain calm and vigilant, carry about their normal business.
But he adds:
The threat level remains severe … [that] means an attack across the country is still highly likely.
Londoners will see an increased police presence today and over the next few days … some of it armed officers.
But Khan says London is one of the safest global cities in the world.
Updated
at 8.17am BST
7.19am BST
07:19
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has been speaking about last night’s attack. He says he is “appalled and furious that these cowardly terrorists would deliberately target innocent Londoners”.
There can be no justification …
Six people have been killed, more than 40 have been injured – some of them, I’m afraid are critical.
Khan says the emergency services “reacted heroically”:
As a result of their swift action, fewer people have died than would otherwise have been the case.
7.08am BST
07:08
Tories confirm suspension of election campaign
Other major parties are also expected not to campaign today. The Conservative party has just issued this statement:
The Conservative party will not be campaigning nationally today. We will review as the day goes on and as more details of the attack emerge.