MP FOUGHT TO SAVE COP’S LIFE
Former Army officer is hailed by his colleagues for rushing to help injured
WHEN the shots rang out, dozens ran for cover as scenes of panic and chaos engulfed the Palace of Westminster.
But brave MP Tobias Ellwood headed in the other direction.
He rushed to help the stricken policeman who had been stabbed by a terrorist in Old Palace Yard.
The Foreign Office Minister and former Army captain gave wounded PC Keith Palmer, 48, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR in a last-ditch attempt to save his life.
And when, despite his heroic efforts, the officer died, pain was etched on Ellwood’s blood-streaked face.
Sadly, it’s not the first time the 50-year-old Tory MP has been affected by a terror attack. His brother Jon was one of 202 people murdered in the bombings of two nightclubs on the Indonesian island of Bali in 2002.
MPs expressed shock at the killings on their own doorstep as they showered praise on courageous Ellwood.
A source said of the Conservative MP for Bournemouth East: “MPs walking through the yard were told there was an armed shooter and told to run for cover. But as people shouted run, Ellwood strode the other way to help the victims.”
The scene was one of desperation as several police officers also tried to help their fallen colleague in Parliament’s main front yard.
Yards away, his killer lay bleeding on the ground. Police and medics tried in vain to save him too.
About 20 minutes later, after the medics had taken over, a grim-faced Ellwood walked back to onlookers across the yard. One embraced him, another patted his shoulder and grimly shook his head.
Tory MP Stuart Andrew said: “Your natural instinct when you see something as horrific as that is probably to protect yourself. I think to jump in there and help is quite fantastic of him.
“Horrible episodes like this really do bring out people who are heroes. He’s always been a selfless character. That is his nature.”
Tory MP Richard Benyon tweeted: “Just asked @Tobias_Ellwood if he is OK and he said, ‘I need a clean shirt’. #Westminster #hero”.
Another Tory pal, Gravesham MP Adam Holloway – who also served in the Army – added: “This just shows what great training the British Army does. Tobias did exactly what you would expect a former Green Jacket officer to do.”
Labour MP Louise Haigh hailed his “incredible bravery”.
And her party leader Jeremy Corbyn added to the cross-party praise.
He said: “Our thanks and gratitude go to the police and emergency services who responded so bravely, and to those – including MP Tobias Ellwood – who went to the aid of the injured and dying.
“This was not only an attack on innocent people, it was also an attack on our democracy.
“But I know Londoners and people across the country will stand together in defence of our values and diversity.”
Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney
said: “I am devastated to hear that one of the police officers who serve to keep us safe in Parliament has died.
“Amid the horrors there have been some inspiring displays of heroism from Tobias and our wonderful emergency services. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of all today’s victims.” And Tory MP Mike Fabricant said: “We should erect a permanent memorial in the Palace of Westminster to the brave police officer and to all who protect us here.”
MPs had just begun voting on the Government’s latest Pensions Bill when the attack took place.
Many were heading from their offices in neighbouring Portcullis House across to the Commons as the attack on Westminster Bridge began. Former education secretary Nicky Morgan said: “I was walking from Portcullis House along the path of Old Palace Yard when suddenly shots rang out.
“It takes a moment to realise that it is actually gunfire and at that point people were yelling, ‘Get down, get back’. They pushed us all back to the new building.”
Pudsey MP Andrew added: “I was
walking below Big Ben and I could hear what was happening on Westminster Bridge. You could hear all this banging and screaming and all sorts.
“You just didn’t quite register what was happening. But as I was coming into the chamber, the PM was being dragged out by a security guard. I knew it was something serious.”
Former cabinet minister Anna Soubry tweeted: “Colleagues taken out of the library at gunpoint by counterterrorist armed police officers. Terrifying.”
MPs were instructed to cast their votes and many were kept corralled inside the Commons chamber for hours as squads of heavily armed police officers swept the building.
Other MPs were taken to Westminster Abbey, while a small group were kept safe inside Scotland Yard’s HQ.
Outside, Old Palace Yard resembled an outdoor operating theatre, with emergency workers swarming around the two people on the ground.
The killer was eventually removed on a stretcher by ambulance, leaving behind the tragic sight of a single body lying beneath blankets. Bandages, swabs and other medical equipment were strewn around the scene.
Last night, defiant Parliamentary authorities said it would be business as usual in Westminster today.
“We can confirm both the House of Commons and the House of Lords will sit tomorrow at their normal times,” a statement from the House authorities said.