The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Potential associates of killer Masood hunted
Police attempting to piece together the attacker’s past
Counter-terrorism detectives are attempting to trace any associates of Khalid Masood as they mount a huge investigation to establish what triggered the terrorist’s murderous rampage in Westminster.
The middle-aged Muslim convert who killed four people in the outrage before he was shot dead by police was born Adrian Elms and also called himself Adrian Russell Ajao.
Asked about where the 52-year-old had been radicalised, Scotland Yard’s head of counter-terrorism Mark Rowley said: “Our investigation focuses on understanding his motivation, preparation and associates.
“Whilst there is no evidence of further threats, you will understand our determination to find out if he either acted totally alone, inspired by terrorist propaganda, or if others have encouraged, supported or directed him.”
Asked whether Masood had travelled overseas, the officer said: “We are looking at his history.”
Mr Rowley reiterated Prime Minister Theresa May’s comments in Parliament that, while he had been investigated previously, he has been a “peripheral figure” who was not implicated in any current probe.
Eleven people have been arrested as part of the inquiry but Scotland Yard said only four remain in custody – two men aged 27 and 58 who were arrested in Birmingham on Thursday and a 32-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man who were arrested in Manchester yesterday. All are being held on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.
Masood was known to police and MI5 and had convictions for assaults, including grievous bodily harm, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences.
Home secretary Amber Rudd has defended the security and intelligence agencies, saying: “The fact that he was known to them doesn’t mean that somebody has 24-hour cover.”
Masood ploughed a hired car across Westminster Bridge and stormed the parliamentary estate armed with two blades, fatally knifing PC Keith Palmer.
His victims on the bridge included American tourist Kurt Cochran, who was on the last day of his trip with wife Melissa to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. She was badly injured.
Aysha Frade, who worked at sixthform school DLD College London, is understood to have been 43 and married with two daughters.