As it happened: 4th Westminster terror attack victim dies as more Khalid Masood details emerge
Updates throughout the day as police investigation into terror attack on capital continues.
Khalid Masood's birth name revealed.
Two more 'significant' arrests made.
Fourth victim named as 75-year-old Leslie Rhodes.
Thousands attend candlelit vigil at Trafalgar Square.
A former counter-terrorism detective has spoken of the need to re-think the design of Westminster Bridge, where killer Khalid Masood mowed down dozens of pedestrians.
David Videcette, a lead investigator for the July 7 bombings in 2005, told IBTimes UK more needs to be done to prevent a copycat attack, including potentially installing bollards on the pavement.
His comments are joined by those made by crossbench peer Lord Carlile, who also expressed concerns about the street layout outside the Palace of Westminster.
Read our full piece by reporter Paul Wright here.
This concludes the live blog of the aftermath of Wednesday's attack in Westminster. For the latest developments, check the IBTimes UK homepage.
The owner of the Brighton hotel where killer Khalid Masood stayed the night before launching his attack in London has spoken to Sky News.
"He was very friendly, laughing and joking," Sabeur Toumi said, adding that Masood was chatty with staff and was a regular at the hotel.
He stayed in the room on Tuesday night, leaving for London on Wednesday morning carry out his attack.
The Metropolitan Police should consider arming more of its officers guarding the Palace of Westminster with firearms and tasers after the London terror attack, Lord Carlile told IBTimes UK on Friday (24 March).
The crossbench peer was the government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation between 2001 and 2011.
Read more in our story by our politics correspondent Ian Silvera.
Following on from the release of another pic of Khalid Masood, IB Times UK has pieced together all we know so far about 52-year-old terrorist.
'Only black kid in school': Early years of Khalid Masood — the London terror attacker
An extract reads:
School friends said Masood, then Adrian Russell Ajao (his father Philip's surname, believed to be Nigerian), was an intelligent, talented and popular boy at secondary school in the Home Counties.
However, one former friend said that he lost touch with Masood after they left school when the would-be terrorist began smoking cannabis.
You can read our full profile on Masood here.
New image of Khalid Masood
Met Police have issued a new image of the terrorist responsible for the Westminster attack.
The image is a mugshot of Khalid Masood. It was previously revealed that the 52-year-old had a string of previous criminal convictions such as GBH and possession of a knife.
A statement to go with the picture added: "Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command investigating the Westminster attack have released an image of Khalid Masood.
"To provide clarity, Khalid Masood has previously gone by the names of Adrian Elms and Adrian Russell Ajao. He may also be known by a number of other names."
Police also repeated an earlier statement from Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Rowley appealing for people who may have known Masood to come forward.
Rowley said:
"We remain keen to hear from anyone who knew Khalid Masood well; understands who his associates were; and can provide us with information about places he has recently visited.
"There might well be people out there who did have concerns about Masood but weren't sure or didn't feel comfortable for whatever reason in passing information to us.
"I urge anyone with such information to contact us the Anti-Terrorist hotline which is 0800 789 321."
Recruits hold minute silence “We are mourning the loss of a brave officer, PC Keith Palmer, who died protecting Parliament & our democracy†pic.twitter.com/DtmBrzGeYH
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 24, 2017
“As police officers, we have a special bond with the public, as protectors & guardians. It is a bond that grows stronger in adversity"
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 24, 2017
“It is now your privilege to take on the responsibility from the generations of officers that have gone before you†#London pic.twitter.com/IGASLg4l6Y
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 24, 2017
According to Wales Online, police have searched the home of Masood's mother in the tiny village of Trelech, just west of Carmarthenshire.
Police are said to still be maintaining a presence in the village with a population of 750 as they follow up all links to the terrorist responsible for the deaths of four people.
Vanessa Francois, landlady of local pub Tafarn Beca, told Wales Online:
Someone came to the pub last night at 7.30pm to ask about the family and the farm.
We don't know the family, but it's obviously a big shock to us all. I haven't heard much about it around the village as this is a community where everyone keeps themselves to themselves.I grew up in London where you read about this sort of thing, but you don't expect there to be a link to something like Wdnesday's attack in a place as rural as this.
Till has also spoken about his former schoolmate to the MailOnline, saying how Masood was not religious experienced racism as the only black pupil at the school.
He added:
"We were good friends for about three of four years he was very bright, very academic and he was good sports – good at everything really. He was very good at football.
"He wasn't religious at all. He was a big character, very friendly and a good laugh. He was always being everybody's mate. He might have been the only black kid at the school. He experienced a little bit of racism but not a lot because he always tried to be popular.
"We used to socialise together up until we left school but he turned up to a party at my house with some friends after they had been smoking puff [cannabis] and my mum threw them all out. We sort of lost touch after that."
The Telegraph have interviewed one of Masood's teammates seen in the picture. Kenton Till, (Far left, second row) said as a schoolboy he "had a big personality and everyone liked him".
Till added:
"We were quite close for a few years. The picture was taken when we were taking part in a 24-hour five-a-side tournament for charity.
"Adrian was a bloody good footballer, one of the best players in the school. He was one of those kids who was very popular. He had a big personality and everyone liked him.
"This has come as a huge shock to me, it is hard to take in that this is the same bloke."
A picture of Masood from his days at a secondary school in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, has emerged.
The photo shows Masood, born Adrian Russell Ajao, posing with the Huntley's Secondary School For Boys football team.
Elsewhere on IBTimes UK, our reporter Josh Robbins has pulled together all we know about some of the victims of the Westminster attack, including an interview from one of the survivors.
Franciso Lopez, a 26-year-old from Portugal who has lived in London for 16 years, told ITV News from his hospital bed: "I was one metre from the car and I could not run from its way so, the car hit me and I fell over the car but part of it was already broken and I think those parts injured me.
"Then, when I was on the floor I saw people shouting, I saw the people distressed and shouting 'Help, help, I don't feel my legs'. They were shouting because of the pain they felt. It was awful."
Full story here:
The JustGiving fundraising page for PC Keith Palmer has raised over £500,000 in just two days.
More than 23,000 people have donated to Palmer's family since the Metropolitan Police Federation set up the page. The officer leaves behind a wife and a five-year-old daughter.
You can donate here.
According to The Sun, Masood told staff "I'm off to London today" just hours before the horror attack before adding the capital "isn't like it used to be".
Michael Petersen, a regular at the Preston Park Hotel, added to the BBC:
How the hell can we predict who wants to do these kind of things. There was nothing in the man's demeanour, nothing whatsoever that made me think 'you've got to be wary of this guy', nothing. And the guy was calm... there was nothing in his conduct or demeanour that would have let me get a feeling there's something weird about this guy."
The Sun has managed to obtained video of the moment Prime Minister Theresa May was escorted by her security team to safety in the wake of the attack outside of the Houses of Parliament.
This is the moment @theresa_may was rushed out of #Parliament by her security team during the #Westminster terror attack in #London pic.twitter.com/SQTDQcF6gl
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 24, 2017
Met Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Rowley has given an update on the investigation, including the details about Masood and the scale of the operation.
You can read his statement in full below:
"Good morning, I am here to update you on the following areas: update you on the breadth and speed of our investigation; I want to ask for the public's help; and provide further details on the police service response.
"First I want to update you regarding those who were injured.
"Sadly last night another man died in hospital as a result of the injuries he sustained during the attack.
"Whilst we await formal identification, we believe that he is Leslie Rhodes, aged 75, from Streatham in south London.
"My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
"Furthermore, two people remain in hospital in what is described as a critical condition, and one person is considered to have life threatening injuries.
"Two of our officers who were injured on Westminster Bridge in the attack also remain in hospital and also have sustained significant injuries.
"At least 50 people were injured with 31 requiring hospital treatment as the attack unfolded and those affected include a real cross section of ages and from at least 12 nationalities.
"It is a poignant reminder that the impact of this attack on the Capital will reach around the world.
"So moving onto our investigation:
"The Counter Terrorism Command investigation - Operation Classific - continues, involving hundreds of officers from across the counter terrorism network.
"This is a very large, fast-paced investigation I want to give you as much information as possible and I do want to make a critical appeal to the public
"Yesterday we named the dead terrorist as Khalid Masood - we stated he had a number of aliases - we now know his birth name was Adrian Russell Ajao.
"I would like to put on record my gratitude to the journalists who having identified the dead terrorist soon after the attack have delayed publishing his details at my request to give us space to move on the necessary warrants, searches and arrests.
"As I have said our investigation focuses on understanding his motivation, preparation and his associates.
"Whilst there is no evidence of further threats you will understand our determination to find out if he either: Acted totally alone inspired by terrorist propaganda; Or, if others have encouraged, supported or directed him;
"To that end in our continuing investigation and ongoing covert activity we have made two further significant arrests overnight - one in the West Midlands and one in North West.
"Nine people remain in our custody and one woman has been released on bail. We have searches at five addresses ongoing - 16 searches have concluded. So far we have seized 2,700 items from our searches including massive of amounts of computer data.
"We have had contact with approximately 3,500 witnesses - including 1,000 from people on Westminster Bridge and around 2,500 who were within the Parliamentary Estate, and we have received hundreds of uploads to our online platform.
"Given that this attack was in the heart of the Capital we are also dealing with statements from people with range of nationalities.
"At this point I want to appeal specifically to the public.
"We remain keen to hear from anyone who knew Khalid Masood well; understands who his associates were; and can provide with information about places he has recently visited.
"There might well be people out there who did have concerns about Masood but weren't sure or didn't feel comfortable for whatever reason in passing information to us.
"I urge anyone with such information to contact us the Anti-Terrorist hotline which is 0800 789 321.
"In terms of protective security: I understand why a tragic event such as this generates questions about security at Parliament.
"Our current arrangements have been developed with Parliament over many years and are designed to provide access to the seat of our Government balanced carefully with security that is proportionate but not overly intrusive.
"Of course after an incident like this as would be expected my team will work with Parliamentary authorities to assess whether a different tone or balance is necessary.
"More widely - the police service will sustain an enhanced armed and unarmed presence over the next few days.
"London, and the UK, are open for business, and we are out there in greater numbers to make sure that the public see a highly visible presence to help reassure them as they go about their daily lives.
"In London the number of armed officers remains at near double strength, while in other parts of the UK there are up to a third more armed officers on duty.
"Finally, last night a true cross section of people came together to stand together to remember - but also to send a message.
"A strong message - to those inspired by hate and extremism of all persuasions that we will not give in to those who seek to breed discord and fear.
"This is as true now as it has ever been. Our Acting Commissioner, Craig Mackey, told thousands who gathered in central London last night terrorist have tried to tear this city apart before and they have never succeeded.
"The very fact London has gone back to work and so many were happy to gather in central London last night shows they have failed again.
"We would like to thank our officers and staff who continue to work around the clock - both investigating this atrocity and continuing to keep our city safe.
"From the staff picking responding to calls in our control centres, staff and officers still guarding our iconic buildings, the officers patrolling streets in every borough and specialist teams that are not so visible.
"We are grateful for the continued support of the public and the strong calm response that has been shown, and I know that we will continue to stand together."
A photograph believed to be the final one taken of PC Keith Palmer – taken just 45 minutes before the officer was killed – has now emerged.
The pic, captured by a US tourist, appears as a fundraising page for the policeman's family nears £500,000 on donations.
Full story here.
Last night (23 March), thousands of people attended a candlelit vigil for those who were killed in the Westminster attack.
During the event, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "London is a great city, full of amazing people from all backgrounds. When Londoners face adversity we always pull together. We stand up for our values and show the world we are the greatest city in the world."
Full story here.
Police have also confirmed the fourth person killed in the attack has been identified as Leslie Rhodes.
The 75-year-old from Streatham, in south London, had been on life support since the attack on Westminster Bridge.
Streatham MP Chuka Umunna paid tribute to the man. He said: "Deeply saddened to hear that my constituent Leslie Rhodes has died from the injuries he sustained in Wednesday's shocking and awful attack.
"The thoughts and prayers of all our community are with Mr Rhodes' family and friends – we can only imagine what they are going through."
Full story here.
Good morning and welcome to IBTimes UK's live blog covering the aftermath of the Westminster attack in which four victims died.
The main detail emerging from this morning is that police have revealed the terrorist responsible for the attack was born Adrian Russell Ajao.
The 52-year-old was previously known to have used a variety of aliases, one of which was reported to be Adrian Elms. He is also reported to have been a married father of three who worked as an English teacher.
Elsewhere, police have made two more "significant" arrests in the investigation and have searched 16 addresses across the UK.
Full story here:
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