A Nottingham MP kept on lock down in Parliament as a knifeman attacked a police officer outside says the best way to defeat terrorism is by ‘refusing to be cowed’ and to ‘go on as normal’
Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood was one of the Nottinghamshire MPs among the hundreds kept on lockdown at Westminster yesterday (Wednesday March 22) because of the terror attack.
PC Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old husband and father, was stabbed to death and the alleged attacker shot moments after he had run down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.
The Met Police says four people have died, including the alleged attacker and PC Palmer, and 40 are injured.
Police have named the man they believe to be responsible for the attack as Khalid Masood, aged 52, who was believed to have last lived in Birmingham.
However, he was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences.
His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife.
He has not been convicted of any terrorism offences.
Aysha Frade and Kurt Cochran have also been named as two of the victims killed.
Islamic State have reportedly claimed responsibility for the incident.
Ms Greenwood was in attendance as normal at the House of Commons this morning.
She said: “Those who commit these sort of terrorist attacks want to attack our democracy, our freedom, our values and our British way of life.
“The best way we can defeat them is by refusing to be cowed – we stand in the chamber and we go on today as normal.
“I would urge everyone to go about their life as normal today and not allow the terrorists to make us feel afraid or to stop us from living our lives.”
She said: “I was in the members’ tea room and had just come through the voting lobby as it was during a vote when the incident happened.
“I had just sat down with a cup of coffee and one of my colleagues said there’s something on Twitter saying that there had been gunshots in the parliamentary estate.
“One or two of us said that it was probably a car misfiring or something but then it rapidly became clear it was gunfire.
“We were horrified by the sights we saw on news channels and after around 10 minutes or so we heard that armed police were outside the windows of the tea room running and checking the palace and were shouting.
“That was frightening as we didn’t know initially if anyone had gained access to the palace.”
Lilian was then moved along with others to Westminster Abbey.
She said: “A member of the counter terrorism squad arrived at the door of the tea room and asked how many people were there.
“He wasn’t in uniform, he was in jeans with his face covered, a helmet on and a very large firearm and then he ushered us out of the tea room, along the corridors and to speaker’s court where we waited a while before going to Westminster Abbey.
“We were all questioned before we left and I didn’t get home until around 8pm last night.”
The flag at Nottingham Castle is flying at half-mast today in respect for those affected by the attack.
Nottingham City Council Tweeted yesterday that leader Councillor Jon Collins said: “Our thoughts are with those killed, injured and affected by the awful Westminster attacks; Nottingham stands with London.”
Notts Police’s Chief Constable Craig Guildford issued a statement offering support to London.
He said: “It’s really important that everyone remains vigilant but at this time there is no intelligence to link any of the tragic events of yesterday back to Nottinghamshire.
“The security threat level nationally hasn’t changed as a result of yesterday’s events.
“We’ve been at a severe level of threat for a number of months and the situation at the moment remains unchanged as a result of this attack.
“Public safety is at the heart of what we do and as we go about our duties as police officers, PCSOs, police staff and volunteers, we will continue to keep you safe.
“The response to this absolutely dreadful incident was very swift and efficient and involved lots of resources from the police and other emergency services.
“I’d like to pay tribute to them all and our thoughts go out to all those who have been affected by this tragic event.
“Now is the time for us all to come together, united, in the wake of such tragic events.
“Any form of mindless hatred contemplated by the ignorant or those who seek to divide the good people of Nottinghamshire will be met with a swift response.”
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping also offered his support.
He said: “London has been bracing itself for attack for some time but no amount of training or risk assessment can prepare us for the shock and devastating emotional impact when such an incident unfolds.
“My deepest sympathies go out to the families of those killed or injured in this atrocity and the police officer’s colleagues within the Metropolitan Police Service.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the courage of those officers and emergency services staff who responded in the aftermath of yesterday’s tragedy.
“The events in the capital have had a deeply unsettling effect on the police family as a whole and together we pray for the continued safety of our officers in the face of these daily risks.
“This incident must unite our communities to reject violence and hatred and stand firm against any form of segregation.
“Nottinghamshire is a rich and diverse county and it is up to each and every one of us to protect the values of togetherness, acceptance and tolerance and fight against extremism.”
Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council Alan Rhodes also issued a full statement to the council about the attack.
He said: “Like many others I watched in horror on the TV yesterday afternoon as events unfolded; a brave police officer PC Keith Palmer was murdered in the terrible incident together with innocent civilians killed and injured.
“The thoughts of everyone in this Council Chamber today are with the victims and their families.
“On behalf of us all in this county, I will write to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and the Leader of Westminster City Council to express our sincere condolences for what has happened on the streets of our capital city and to offer our sympathy and our solidarity.
“We, the residents of Nottinghamshire, stand shoulder to shoulder with Londoners and with decent people everywhere against the threat of terrorism.
“We will not be cowed, we will not be beaten, we are not afraid.”
