LONDON ATTACKER HAD NO TIES TO ISIL, POLICE SAY

LONDON Police have found no evidence that the man who killed four people in London last week was associated with Islamic State or al-Qaida, a senior British counterterrorism officer said Monday.

Deputy assistant commissioner Neil Basu of the Metropolitan Police said Westminster attacker Khalid Masood, pictured, clearly had “an interest in jihad,” but police have no indication he discussed his plans with others.

Basu said Wednesday’s attack — in which Masood ran down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before fatally stabbing a policeman — “appears to be based on low-sophistication, low-tech, low-cost techniques copied from other attacks.” Masood was shot dead by police.

Police believe Masood — a 52-year-old Briton with convictions for violence who had spent several years in Saudi Arabia — acted alone, but are trying to determine whether others helped inspire or direct his actions.

Masood was born Adrian Elms, but changed his name in 2005, suggesting a conversion to Islam. His mother, Janet Ajao, said Monday she was “deeply shocked, saddened and numbed” by his actions.