Politicians locked in House of Commons for almost five hours

MPs were locked in the chamber of the House of Commons for almost five hours after business was suspended following the attack.

Only after dark had fallen was a security lockdown lifted, allowing hundreds of MPs to leave the building.

Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle halted the sitting of the House as MPs were preparing to vote on pensions legislation, telling them to remain in the chamber as details of the incident filtered through.

Just minutes later Commons Leader David Lidington told MPs the chamber would “remain in lockdown” until further notice.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack MPs spoke of being taken to safety at “gun point” by counterterrorist armed police officers.

Mr Hoyle said MPs would be the last to be evacuated and would be evacuated in blocks of 20 at a time.

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 is actually gunfire and at that point people were yelling get down, get back.

“They pushed us all back to the new building.

“We have at the back of our mind all the time that something terrible can happen.

“The first thing is, is that actually gunfire? Have you misheard?

“But the reaction of the officers around made it very clear this is a very serious situation.”

Around half an hour after the attack, former cabinet minister Anna Soubry said she and Security Minister Ben Wallace MP were ordered into the Parliament lobby “at gun point” by police officers.

“Colleagues taken out of the library at gun point by counter terrorist armed police officers,” she tweeted.

“Armed officers ordered myself and Security Minister into lobby at gun point. Terrifying,” she said.

Police and emergency services at the scene.