Jurors urged not to attach blame in Westminster terror inquest case

Jurors were warned not to “jump to conclusions” or attach blame as the inquest into the death of Westminster attacker Khalid Masood got under way.

The 52-year-old Muslim convert mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge on 22 March last year, killing four and seriously injuring another 29 people.

He then crashed his Hyundai Tucson into railings and attacked Police Constable Keith Palmer with knives at the Palace of Westminster.

He was shot dead by bodyguards 82 seconds after the rampage began.

The court heard the close protection officers had shouted a warning to him to stop before they opened fire.

An Old Bailey jury of 11 men and women was sworn in to hear the inquest into Masood’s death following the conclusion of the inquest into his victims.

Chief Coroner Mark Lucraft QC told the jury: “This inquest concerns a death as a result of actions by close protection officers in New Palace Yard in the Palace of Westminster.”

He said the hearing would focus on the events in New Palace Yard leading up to Masood’s death.

Mr Lucraft said Masood’s family were represented as interested parties.

He told jurors they would be required to come to conclusions about the identity of the deceased, when, where and how he died.