MP ‘heartbroken’ over death

“Hero” MP Tobias Ellwood has said he is “heartbroken” that his efforts to save the life of a police officer during theWestminster terror attack were ultimately unsuccessful.

The Foreign Office minister ran towards gunfire to help Constable Keith Palmer, who was stabbed in Wednesday’s attack by terrorist Khalid Masood.

The former soldier said he was just doing what he was trained to do as he praised the “humbling” and “overwhelming” messages of support from the policing fraternity.

He intends to write to Constable Palmer’s family to offer his condolences and said he was “honoured” to be appointed to the Privy Council, alongside Security Minister Ben Wallace, in recognition of their roles in responding to the atrocity.

Mr Ellwood, who has been branded a hero for his actions, said in a statement: “I am heartbroken that I could not do more for Pc Keith Palmer who gave his life in holding the line against terrorism and defending democracy. I shall be writing to the family of Pc Palmer to offer my sincere condolences.

“It is right that despite the terrible events onWednesday, parliamentary business continued the next day as usual, the democratic machine was not interrupted and our way of life did not stop.

“I’m deeply humbled and overwhelmed by the messages of support, especially from the policing fraternity, which I now realise is as close-knit as the military’s in supporting its own.

“I played only a small part that day, doing what I was taught to do, and am honoured to have been invited to join the Privy Council afterwards.

“It is right that we concentrate our thoughts on the victims as we stand side by side to protect all that we hold dear, including our precious values and way of life which will always prevail.”

Mr Ellwood, whose brother Jonathan was killed in the 2002 Bali terrorist bombing, said Constable Palmer was the real hero because he protected parliament from the attack.

The minister said: “The story is not about me. He was the hero, not me.”

GESTURE: MP Tobias Ellwood shakes hands with an armed officer as he enters the Houses of Parliament