Mum in tears for victims

The mother of London terrorist Khalid Masood (above) has said she is “deeply shocked, saddened and numbed” by the actions of her son after last week’s attack.

THE mother of London terrorist Khalid Masood has said she is “deeply shocked, saddened and numbed” by the actions of her son.

Janet Ajao said she had “shed many tears” for the victims and did not condone the attack or beliefs which led Masood to commit the “atrocity”.

Her statement, released through the Metropolitan Police, came as the force said there was “no evidence” that the Muslim convert was linked to Islamic State or al Qaeda.

“I am so deeply shocked, saddened and numbed by the actions my son has taken that have killed and injured innocent people in Westminster,” Mrs Ajao said.

“Since discovering that it was my son that was responsible I have shed many tears for the people caught up in this horrendous incident.

“I wish to make it absolutely clear, so there can be no doubt, I do not condone his actions nor support the beliefs he held that led to him committing this atrocity.”

Masood killed four people in an 82-second rampage in Westminster on Wednesday. The 52-year-old (pictured) was shot dead by police after fatally knifing a police officer in the Palace of Westminster’s cobbled forecourt.

Islamic State called Masood “a soldier of the Islamic State” following the attack.

But the announcement was greeted with scepticism from commentators, with many noting IS has a record of opportunistically claiming attacks.

Scotland Yard said, while it had not found evidence linking Masood to the group, he “clearly” had an interest in jihad.

Mr Basu said Masood’s communications on March 22 were a “main line of inquiry” and appealed for people who were in contact with him to come forward.

Reports have claimed Masood’s phone connected with encrypted messaging app WhatsApp just before the atrocity.

WhatsApp has said it is “cooperating with law enforcement as they continue their investigations”.