As it happened: Aftermath of London terror attack as police make arrests and more victims named

Politicians, senior police officers and members of the public have gathered in Trafalgar Square for a candlelit vigil for Wednesday's attack.

See our slide of pictures below.

This concludes the live blog of the aftermath of Wednesday's attack in Westminster. For the latest developments, check the IBTimes UK homepage.

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The Met Police has revealed the latest on the investigation into Khalid Masood's attack.

It said detectives are continuing to search a number of addresses linked to the investigation:

• One in Carmarthenshire;
• Three in Birmingham;
• One in east London.

Searches at addresses in Brighton and south east London have concluded, detectives added.

Here is the latest on arrests made last night:

• A woman, 39, was arrested at an address in east London on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.
• A woman, 21, and a man, 23, were arrested at an address in Birmingham on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.
• A woman, 26, and three men aged 28, 27 and 26 were arrested at a separate address in Birmingham on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.

A man, 58, was also arrested on this morning at a separate address in Birmingham on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.

A Met Police Spokesman said: "The investigation by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command into the terrorist attack on Wednesday continues to develop at a fast pace and involves hundreds of detectives."

The police watchdog has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the fatal shooting of attacker Khalid Masood, as is standard procedure in incidents of this kind.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) stressed no police officers were under investigation.

IPCC deputy chair Sarah Green said: "The terrorist attack in Westminster on Wednesday was horrific and our thoughts are with all of those affected by it.

"The IPCC is responsible for investigations into fatal police shootings. Accordingly, after being notified by the Metropolitan Police Service of the fatal shooting of a man outside the Houses of Parliament, we have opened an independent investigation.

"It's important to stress that we are currently investigating the circumstances of the incident and no police officers are under investigation.

"The IPCC and the Metropolitan Police Service are following agreed working arrangements related to terrorist incidents, which are working well. I recognise that this is a very difficult time for the police service, following the tragic loss of PC Keith Palmer and the injuries to other officers. We are giving this investigation the highest priority and we will conclude it as soon as possible."

Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate has been illuminated with the colours of the British flag in solidarity with the victims of the Wednesday's attack.

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, had expressed her shock at the attack.

She said "we stand firmly and resolutely by Britain's side when it comes to fighting any kind of terrorism".

People have started to gather for this evening's candlelit vigil in Trafalgar Square, led by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Some members of the public have been drawing messages of solidarity on the pavement with chalk.

The vigil starts at 6pm and is expected to last one hour. You can read more here.

King's College hospital, one of the major trauma centres treating some of the injured victims from Wednesday's attack, has given an update on their condition.

Two patients have been discharged, four are stable and two are in a critical condition.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd has told the BBC it would be "absolutely the wrong judgement" to see Wednesday's attack as intelligence failure.

She also warned against a "knee-jerk" reaction, furthering speculation the government does not consider it necessary to bring forward a policy change or introduce fresh anti-terror legislation.

Far-right political party Britain First has been condemned by anti-extremism campaigners for planning a march outside Parliament next Saturday (1 April) in the wake of Wednesday's attack, IBTimes UK reports.

It comes amid concerns from police over the activities of right-wing extremists in the wake of the attack.

Read more in our story here.

Family tribute to Keith Palmer

The family of PC Keith Palmer have just paid tribute to the 48-year-old following his death, describing him as a "wonderful dad and husband".

The family added:

Met Police have confirmed that as a mark of respect, Palmer's shoulder number - 4157U - will be retired and not reissued to any other officer.

Palmer joined the force in 2001 and was nominated in 2015 for best thief taker in the Commissioner's Excellence Awards, having made more than 150 arrests in 12 months.

PC James Aitkenhead, who worked alongside Keith in the TSG, said:

Key points to take from what police have said is that the suspect does have previous convictions for crimes such as GBH and possession of a knife, but has never been convicted of a terrorist offences.

Police also say he was not under any investigation and there was no intelligence to suggest he might commit a terrorist attack.

Sky News are reporting that Masood was a married father-of-three, worked as an English teacher and was in to body building.

Full story here.

Terror suspect named

Police have named the suspect in yesterday's attack as 52-year-old Khalid Masood.

A statement added:

The man police believe to be responsible for the terrorist attack in Westminster yesterday, Wednesday, 22 March, has now been formally identified as Khalid Masood.

Masood, aged 52 (25.12.1964), was born in Kent and detectives believe he was most recently living in the West Midlands. Masood was also known by a number of aliases.

Masood was not the subject of any current investigations and there was no prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack.

However, he was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences.

His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife.

He has not been convicted for any terrorism offences.

Anyone with any information about Masood can call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321.

The JustGiving fundraiser for Keith Palmer, the on-duty officer killed in yesterday's attack, has just hit £100,000.

You can donate here.

Exactly 24 hours after the attack first began, London appears to be operating at almost full capacity.

Transport for London (TfL) have confirmed that well as Westminster Bridge being re-opened to the public, the nearby Tube station has also returned to a full service.

Here we have some pics showing police patrolling the capital the day after the attack in which on-duty officer Keith Palmer was killed.

Full gallery here.

Fox News have claimed that a man from Utah is among the dead in the Westminster terror attack London.

Kurt Cochran and his wife Melissa, who sustained serious injuries, were reportedly caught up in the attack.

He is now the third victim to be formally identified.

Full story can be read here.

The junction between Old Street, Shoreditch High Street and Hackney Road was been cordoned off by the police while officers dealt with an "an unattended item". It later tuned out to be a false alarm.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 13:24pm on Thursday, 23 March, to a suspicious object in Curtain Road near to Old Street and Kingsland Road.

"Officers attended the location and cordons were put in place. The incident was stood down shorly before 2pm."

Police have confirmed that Westminster Bridge has re-opened less than 24 hours after Wednesday's attack.

At least two people were killed after dozens more injured after a vehicle drove into pedestrians before crashing into gates at the Houses of Parliament.

A woman who attracted media attention following the attack after being pulled from River Thames after falling from Westminster Bridge has been named.

Romanian national Andreea Cristea survived but remains seriously injured after receiving medical treatment on the side river in the wake of the attack.

It is not known if she was thrown from the bridge after being struck by the vehicle or if she jumped to get out of the way.

Full story here.

Some have noticed the wording of the statement could mean the group did not plan the attack themselves, more the attacker was responding to their ideology.

The Jihadist terror group added:

The perpetrator of the attacks yesterday in front of the British parliament in London is an Islamic State soldier and he carried out the operation in response to calls to target citizens of the coalition.

The full story on the latest claims from Isis can be read here.

Isis have claimed responsibility for the attack in which four people died, describing the terrorist as a "soldier of Islamic State" according to the Amaq news agency.

Theresa May previously confirmed in the House of Commons police are working under the assumption the attacker was "inspired by Islamist ideology".

No other details have been released about the assailant who was shot dead outside parliament expect he is British-born and previously investigated by MI5 for violent extremism but considered "peripheral" and "not part of the intelligence picture".

Our reporter Ian Silvera is currently in London getting reaction from the public on yesterday's attack.

Charlton football club have paid tribute to PC Keith Palmer, a "loyal Charlton supporter and season-ticket holder" who was killed on-duty in yesterday's attack.

Charlton have also released an imaged of a scarf on the seat in which the officer "occupied for many years" as part of the tribute.

In a statement, the club added:

"It is with great sadness that the club has learned of the tragic news of the death of PC Keith Palmer, a loyal Charlton supporter and season-ticket holder, who lost his life as a result of the terror incident in Westminster on Wednesday afternoon.

"Keith was a familiar face at The Valley to many supporters and sat in his same East Stand seat for many years.

"As an immediate tribute, a red and white scarf has been placed on his seat which will remain until the next home game on Tuesday, April 4th, while the club will discuss ways in which it can commemorate his life at the game itself.

"Keith was a true hero who will be greatly missed by all the Charlton family and everyone at the club would like to offer their sincere condolences to his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

"The club also wish to extend condolences to the families of all those victims who were involved in yesterday's incident."

Tributes have also continued to pour in from across the world. In India, world famous sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik has created this sculpture condemning the attack on a beach Puri Beach in the state of Odisha.

The Queen has said her "thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies" with all those affected by yesterday's attack.

In a message to acting Met Police Commissioner Craig Mackey, she added:

Following yesterday's shocking events in Westminster, Prince Phillip and I are sorry that we will not be able to open the new Scotland Yard building as planned today, for very understandable reasons. I look forward to visiting at a later date.

My thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who have been affected by yesterday's awful events.

I know I speak for everyone in expressing my enduring thanks and admiration for the members of the Metropolitan police service and all who work so selflessly to help and protect others.

Jeremy Corbyn also gave a statement in the House of Commons following yesterday's attack. The Labour leader said:

Car hire company Enterprise has confirmed the vehicle which was used to run down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge was from hired from their branch in Solihull, Birmingham.

A spokesperson said:

"We can confirm that the car used in the tragic attack in London yesterday afternoon was one of ours.

"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 co-operating 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."

You can read Theresa May's statement in full below:

Mr Speaker, 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 waiver in the face of terrorism.

And we meet here, in the oldest of all Parliaments, because we know that democracy – and the values it entails – will always prevail.

Those values – free speech, liberty, human rights and the rule of law – are embodied here in this place, but they are shared by free people around the world.

A terrorist came to the place where people of all nationalities and cultures gather to celebrate what it means to be free. And he took out his rage indiscriminately against innocent men, women and children.

Mr Speaker, 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 that they stand with us at this time.

What happened on the streets of Westminster yesterday afternoon sickened us all.

While there is an ongoing police investigation, the House will understand that 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 who were crossing Westminster Bridge, killing two people and injuring around 40 more.

In addition to twelve 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.

And we are in close contact with the governments of the countries of all those affected.

The injured also included three police officers who were returning from an event to recognise their bravery. Two of those three remain in a serious condition.

Mr Speaker, 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, as the House will know, 48 year old PC Keith Palmer, was killed. PC Palmer had devoted his life to the service of his country. He had been a member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command for fifteen years, and a soldier in the Royal Artillery before that.

He was a husband and a father, killed doing a job he loved. He was every inch a hero. And his actions will never be forgotten.

I know the whole House will join me in sending our deepest condolences to his family – and to the families and friends of all those who have been killed or injured in yesterday's awful attacks.

I know also that the House will wish to thank all those who acted with such speed and professionalism yesterday to secure this place and ensure we are able to meet as we are doing today.
Mr Speaker, at 7.30 last night, I chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency committee COBR and will have further briefings and meetings with security officials today.

The threat level to the UK has been set at "severe" – meaning an attack is highly likely – for some time.

This is the second highest threat level. The highest level "critical" means there is specific intelligence that an attack is imminent.

As there is no such intelligence, the independent Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has decided that the threat level will not change in the light of yesterday's attack.

Mr Speaker, the whole country will want to know who was responsible for this atrocity and the measures that we are taking to strengthen our security, including here in Westminster.

A full counter terrorism investigation is already underway.

Hundreds of our police and security officers have been working through the night to establish everything possible about this attack - including its preparation, motivation and whether there were any associates involved in its planning.

And while there remain limits on what I can say at this stage, I can confirm that overnight the police have searched six addresses and made eight arrests in Birmingham and London.

Mr Speaker, it is still believed that this attacker acted alone, and the police have no reason to believe there are imminent further attacks on the public.

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 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. There was no prior intelligence of his intent – or of the plot. Intensive investigations continue.

And as Acting Deputy Commissioner Rowley confirmed last night, our working assumption is that the attacker was inspired by Islamist ideology.

Mr Speaker, 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.

As Acting Deputy Commissioner Rowley has made clear, we are stepping up policing to protect communities across the country and to reassure the public.

And as a precautionary measure, this will mean increasing the number of patrols in cities across the country with more police and more armed police on the streets.

Since June 2013 our police, security and intelligence agencies have successfully disrupted 13 separate terrorist plots in Britain.

Following the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, we protected the police budgets for counter-terrorism and committed to increase cross-government spending on counter-terrorism by 30 per cent in real terms over the course of this Parliament.

And over the next five years we will invest an extra £2.5 billion in building our global security and intelligence network, employing over 1900 additional staff at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ and more than doubling our global network of counter-terrorism experts working with priority countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

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.
Mr Speaker, yesterday we saw the worst of humanity, but we will remember the best.

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.

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.

On behalf of the whole country I want to pay tribute to them for the work they have been doing to reassure the public, treat the injured and bring security back to the streets of our capital city.

That they have lost one of their own in yesterday's attack only makes their calmness and professionalism all the more remarkable.

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.

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.

Both May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also pay tribute to Tobias Ellwood, the MP who attempted to resuscitate stabbed police officer Keith Palmer. Ellword was inside Commons to hear the tributes.

May has also confirmed the terrorist suspect killed by police during the attack was British born and previously investigated by MI5 for violent extremism but considered "peripheral" and "not part of the intelligence picture".

Theresa May has given details on the nationalities those who have been injured in yesterday's attack. They include

• 12 Brits
• Three French children
• Two Romanians
• Four South Koreans
• Two Greek
• One German
• One Portuguese
• One Chinese
• One Italian
• One America
• One Irish

Theresa May has arrived in the House of Commons to give her statement on the attack.

Met Police have said an eighth person have now been arrested as part of the investigation into the Westminster terror attack.

Police previously confirmed seven people were arrested following raids in Birmingham, London and elsewhere in the country.

Brendan Cox, the widower of murdered Labour MP Jo Cox, has urged unity in the UK in the wake of the terrorist attack.

While the identity of the suspect has not been confirmed, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said they are working on the basis yesterday was "Islamic terrorism".

Following the terrorist murder of his wife by a far-right extremist, Cox told BBC Radio 4:

What the terrorist would like to happen is for us to fall apart and start blaming groups of people, to say that in some way this is Muslim or Islam as a whole," he said.

We have to remember that the person who did this is no more representative of British Muslims than the person who killed Jo is representative of people that are from Yorkshire.

I'm going to do whatever I can to remember the names of the victims like PC Palmerand not the name of the person.

MPs have taken part in a minute's silence in the House of Commons to mark their respect for those killed in yesterday's terror attacks.

The silence was also observed by police forces following the death of PC Keith Field and others parts of the UK.

Prime Minister Theresa May will also make a statement on yesterday's events at 10:30am.

Flags across the UK are flying at half-mast today in tribute to the victim of yesterday's attack.

A one minute's silence will also be observed at 09:33am.

West Midlands Police have just released an update reassuring the public following the raids at addresses in Birmingham.

A spokesperson added:

Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale, who leads on counter terrorism for the force, added:

"Suspicious activity is anything that seems out of place, unusual or just doesn't seem to fit in with day-to-day life - Let us decide if it is important.

"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."

This morning, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has told reporters the working assumption so far is that the Westminster attack is linked to "Islamic terrorism".

He added: "They [police] have been working right through the night, looking into his background, how he got hold of the vehicle, where the vehicle has been in the last day or two, and who may, or may not, have helped him."

Police have yet to give any details on the suspect who was shot dead, but believe he acted alone after being influenced by "international terrorism".

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced there will be a candlelit vigil in London's Trafalgar Square at 6pm tonight. Announcing the vigil, Khan said:

The Mayor invites all Londoners – and everyone visiting our city - 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.

Last night, France – a country which has seen a number of high-profile terrorist attack recently, paid tribute to the victims of the London attack last night.

The iconic Eifel Tower in Paris tuned off its lights at midnight to pay their resepcts.

In November 2015, 130 people were killed in Paris as terrorists targeted several locations across the capital.

One of the people killed in the attack has since been named as 43-year-old Aysha Frade. The mother-of-two is said to be a teacher at a sixth form college based near Westminster Bridge.

Full story from IBTimes UK can be read here.

Mark Rowley, national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing and the Acting Deputy Commissioner, has this morning given an update to the investigation in which he confirmed the arrests and lowered to total number of dead to four.

His full statement can be read below:

Good morning and welcome to IBTimes UK's live blog of the aftermath of the Westminster terror attack.

The main news from overnight is that police have made seven arrests in connection with the attack following raids at six addresses in Birmingham, London and 'elsewhere in the country'

Police also revised the number of dead to four - the attacker, the stabbed policeman Keith Palmer and two other members of the public.