Terror at Parliament Horrific scenes as senseless violence is visited upon heart of democracy
THE heart of Britain’s democracy was transformed into a scene of carnage on Wednesday in a few horrific moments which left Westminster shaken.
Gunshots rang out within yards of the House of Commons chamber after a knifeman confronted officers posted at the front gates.
As MPs and workers were held in lockdown within the Palace of Westminster, medics struggled for up to half an hour to assist a police officer and the apparent attacker sprawled on the cobbled carriageway outside.
One of the first on the scene was Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood – a former army officer whose own brother died in the Bali terrorist bombing in 2002. Mr Ellwood attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation of an injured police officer who later died.
As the went to press, four people, including the attacker had died in the horrific events.
The assailant, armed with two large knives, had first mowed down pedestrians with his car on Westminster Bridge. Then he rushed at the gates in front of the Houses of Parliament, stabbing a policeman before he was shot by armed officers. Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror when gunfire rang out as the attacker approached a second officer.
MPs had been taking part in a series of votes on pensions inside the Commons chamber, and the first sign of anything untoward to alert those inside to the unfolding drama were shouts and screams coming from the direction of Westminster Bridge.
Then a crowd of dozens of people poured into Parliament Square, apparently fleeing danger.
But as they passed the Carriage Gate vehicle entrance at the front of the building, a single man darted inside, waving a large kitchen knife above his head.
Witnesses told how he repeatedly brought his arm down on one of the yellow-jacketed officers who man the entrance and check passes in what is the first line of security around the Palace of Westminster and one of the few points where people can enter directly from the street.
Parliament was packed at the time of the incident, with members of the public – including Birmingham school pupils – still in the building.
MPs were held in the Commons chamber, while others who were in the Palace at the time of the attack were gradually evacuated across the square to Westminster Abbey.
But as the sun set on a day of horror, an eerie calm settled on the deserted streets outside.
A blue tent erected above the body still lying in New Palace Yard was a poignant symbol of the cradle of democracy becoming a crime investigation scene. A GROUP of Birmingham schoolchildren were standing on the site of Wednesday’s terrorist attack on Parliament just minutes before disaster struck.
The children, from Holy Family Catholic Primary School, in Small Heath, were on Westminster Bridge just before the attack.
Luckily they were safely inside the Houses of Parliament with local MP Jess Phillips as the afternoon’s tragic events unfolded.
But an image of the group posing happily on the bridge was posted on social media just 20 minutes before the car mounted the pavement – feet away – and mowed down several people.
The pupils had been sightseeing in London – with the school’s Twitter account posting photographs of them smiling at Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.
The pupils missed their scheduled train home because of the chaos, but following a request from Ms Phillips, Virgin Trains confirmed the group were able to travel by a later train.
Many Birmingham and West Midland MPs were also caught up in the chaos of as the shocking attack unfolded.
Several MPs were placed in lockdown in the House of Commons Chamber, while others stayed put inside their offices nearby.
Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant was heading to the Houses of Parliament when the incident started and retreated to his office across the road.
He tweeted: “Was walking briskly to a vote when crowds of MPs rushed towards me saying that shots have been fired. They shouted ‘get back’. I am now in my PA’s office watching the news.”
Hodge Hill MP Liam Byrne also commented on events from the House.
He said: “Thank you Met Police for your skill and courage defending our parliamentary democracy.”
He praised the work of NHS staff from nearby St Thomas’s Hospital who rushed to the aid of victims.
Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell was also in the chamber where he had been discussing school funding.
Edgbaston MP Gisela Stuart tweeted: “My thanks, thoughts and prayers are with the police and emergency services who protect us.”
Jack Dromey (Erdington) said: “My staff and I are safe. Our thoughts are with the victims of barbarism, and the police.”
Ms Phillips (Yardley),Khalid Mahmood (Perry Barr), and Steve McCabe (Selly Oak) all confirmed they were safe.