Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
MP Neil reflects on Westminster terror
Neil Gray says the terror attack on Westminster was “very frightening” and that he is “heartbroken” for the families of the four victims of Khalid Masood.
The Airdrie & Shotts MP missed last Wednesday’s incident at the Houses of Parliament after having travelled back to his constituency for a Royal visit to Shotts prison by Princess Anne.
He told the Advertiser: “I’d been working out of my Shotts office in the afternoon and had a text from my wife asking if I’d seen what had happened.
“We put on the news in the office and couldn’t believe what we were seeing.
“The SNP group whips sent round a message very quickly by text and email asking everyone to check in, so we were able to establish quite quickly that everyone was OK.
“My own staff are based in the constituency but we also have shared support staff in London, so we quickly touched base with them; the worry with an attack like that is always that there are other things taking place elsewhere at the same time.
“It’s really shocking and just awful – it’s very frightening and brings home the reality that building is a target, and the fantastic job done by the police and security officers who look after us so well.”
He added of PC Keith Palmer, who was fatally stabbed at New Palace Yard: “I go into Parliament by that entrance every day and had spoken to the fantastic police officer a number of times.
“I didn’t know him but he’d always say hello and I’d stop to say hi on the way in; and when I saw his picture after the attack, I realised who it was. It’s absolutely tragic and my heart is breaking for his five-year-old daughter and his family.
“He was one of the ‘soft’ faces of Parliament that everybody sees, pointing people in the right direction and making sure people get to see Parliament, and had such a record of public service in the police and armed forces.”
After his constituency engagements last week, Mr Gray returned to Westminster on Monday for the first time since the terror attack.
The MP said: “Although it happened on Wednesday, colleagues tell me Thursday was even more sombre as everybody reflected on what had happened and how much worse it could even have been, and I suspected I’d have those kinds of emotions.”
He added of the Parliament’s security: “There has to be a balance between security and allowing public access, and it’s very difficult to legislate against somebody using means the attacker did; but I believe there will be a security review.
“PC Palmer wasn’t armed, and I suspect that might be one of the changes to be made.”