Palace attack suspect ‘lunged for 4ft sword’

THE man arrested outside Buckingham Palace drove at police before lunging for a 4ft sword and repeatedly shouting “Allahu akbar”, it emerged yesterday.

The 26-year-old man from Luton was wrestled to the ground by unarmed police who had to use CS gas to incapacitate him.

During the struggle three officers were injured, two of whom suffered minor cuts to their hands and required treatment in hospital before being discharged. The three policemen were praised yesterday for their bravery and speed in containing the situation.

Theresa May, the Prime Minister, tweeted: “I want to thank the officers who acted quickly and bravely to protect the public last night, demonstrating the dedication and professionalism of our police.”

The attack happened shortly after 8.30pm on Friday when The Mall, Constitution Hill and Birdcage Walk, the roads running through St James’s Park and Green Park towards the palace, were still full of tourists.

The motorist was said to have driven a Toyota Prius at a police van on a restricted part of road directly opposite the palace. The car pulled up abruptly in front of the van and as officers emerged he reached into the passenger footwell and produced a 4ft sword.

The police eventually overcame the man who had been alone in the car. Passers-by said they saw the motorist, who may have been driving on the wrong side of the road at one point, being restrained by officers on the ground. Some said he appeared to have a machete. The man was yesterday being held at a London station under the Terrorism Act and on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. Police searches were carried out at properties connected to him in the Luton area.