Get more intrusive, says Yard chief

at key points. MP Nigel Evans said: “If we are going to have unarmed police officers on the frontline, we need to ensure that within inches of them there are armed police officers.”

The attacker, Khalid Masood, 52, is understood to have been shot dead by two officers from Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon’s protection team. This has raised concerns among MPs over the speed of response. But Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: “There would still have been armed officers there in seconds.”

Masood burst through Parliament’s main carriage gates while they were open as a car carrying Acting Met Commissioner Craig Mackey left the estate. He was driven off quickly. Police officers have long complained the solid iron Victorian gates are too heavy to open and close constantly.

Amateur footage obtained by the Sun caught the apparent confusion when Theresa May was taken through a Commons courtyard flanked by protection officers. After shouts of “Get in the car”, she began to walk one way before veering back. A member of the detail shouts for his car keys.

Hundreds have backed calls by MP James Cleverly, who served in the Army with Pc Keith Palmer, for him to be honoured with the George Medal. Meanwhile, former culture secretary and ex-London minister Dame Tessa Jowell said: “There should be a lasting memorial to those who died.”