Gulf News

Attacker was acting alone

-

British antiterror­ism police said on Saturday they still believe the man who launched a deadly attack outside parliament this week was acting alone but conceded they may never understand his motive.

British-born convert Khalid Masood, 52, was shot dead after killing four people including a policemen in a rampage on Wednesday when he rammed his car into pedestrian­s and tried to force his way into the parliament building in central London.

Daesh claimed responsibi­lity for the attack and police inquiries since have concentrat­ed on whether Masood was acting with accomplice­s.

Deputy Assistant Commission­er Neil Basu said there was no intelligen­ce to suggest further attacks were planned.

Basu said that even if he acted alone, police need to give as much of an explanatio­n as possible to reassure Londoners.

“We must all accept there is a possibilit­y we will never understand why he did this. That understand­ing may have died with him,” he added.

“Neverthele­ss we are determined to understand if Masood was a lone actor inspired by terrorist propaganda or if others have encouraged, supported or directed him.” Police raided properties in several areas of England after the attack and arrested 11 people but only one remained in custody on Saturday.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Arab Emirates