Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
United in grief
MPS observed a minute’s silence to mark the first anniversary of the Westminster terror attack.
Speaker John Bercow asked members in the House of Commons chamber to pause “in respectful memory” of those who died on March 22 last year.
With heads bowed, MPs from different parties stood side-by-side along the green benches to pay their respects ahead of digital, culture, media and sport questions.
Five people died, including PC Keith Palmer, and dozens more were injured when 52-year-old Khalid Masood launched a car and knife attack on Westminster Bridge and the Palace of Westminster before he was shot dead.
Culture Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I’m sure the whole House will want to associate ourselves to mark the memory of those who passed away a year ago, as we have just noted in the one minute’s silence, and to thank once more the emergency services who keep us safe and, especially on this day, those who put others’ safety ahead of their own.
“We remember those who have lost their lives defending democracy. They will not be forgotten.”
Labour’s Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) said: “While thinking of the victims of the terrorist outrage last year, I think all of us on the benches hope that the families of those people who were tragically killed have been looked after.”
Sports minister Tracey Crouch, in her reply, said: “PC Keith Palmer was an avid Charlton Athletic fan and it was only right that the club actually respected him by turning his usual red seat in The Valley white with his number written on it, so his memory will always live on at the football club.”
During the evening of March 22 The message #LondonUnited was to be projected in four locations “as an act of solidarity”.
London Bridge, Finsbury Park Mosque, Parsons Green underground station, and the Houses of Parliament had the phrase projected on them overnight.
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said Londoners stood together, “united against terrorism and in hope for the future”. The mayor’s office has also organised a digital book of condolence that the public can send messages of solidarity to.