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2017 Westminster Terror Thread
Topic Started: Mar 22 2017, 12:01 PM (634 Views)
Webster
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.......there are reports coming in over the wire of an apparent terrorist incident right outside or in the vicinity of the Houses of Parliament in London....

(The Guardian) Reports of shooting at House of Commons
--There are reports of a shooting at the Commons

--Man shot in entrance to the Commons. Appears to be a policeman down too (Jason Groves, Daily Mail - 22 March 2017)
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Webster
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(The Guardian) Prime Minister's Statement - full text
--I have just chaired a meeting of the Government’s emergency committee, COBRA, following the sick and depraved terrorist attack on the streets of our Capital this afternoon.The full details of exactly what happened are still emerging. But, having been updated by police and security officials, I can confirm that this appalling incident began when a single attacker drove his vehicle into pedestrians walking across Westminster Bridge, killing two people and injuring many more, including three police officers. This attacker, who was armed with a knife, then ran towards Parliament where he was confronted by the police officers who keep us – and our democratic institutions – safe. Tragically, one officer was killed. The terrorist was also shot dead.The United Kingdom’s threat level has been set at severe for some time and this will not change. Acting Deputy Commissioner Rowley will give a further operational update later this evening.Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected – to the victims themselves, and their family and friends who waved their loved ones off, but will not now be welcoming them home.

For those of us who were in Parliament at the time of this attack, these events provide a particular reminder of the exceptional bravery of our police and security services who risk their lives to keep us safe.Once again today, these exceptional men and women ran towards the danger even as they encouraged others to move the other way.On behalf of the whole country, I want to pay tribute to them – and to all our emergency services – for the work they have been doing to reassure the public and bring security back to the streets of our Capital City.That they have lost one of their own in today’s attack only makes their calmness and professionalism under pressure all the more remarkable.

The location of this attack was no accident. The terrorists chose to strike at the heart of our Capital City, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech.These streets of Westminster – home to the world’s oldest Parliament – are engrained with a spirit of freedom that echoes in some of the furthest corners of the globe. And the values our Parliament represents – democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law – command the admiration and respect of free people everywhere.That is why it is a target for those who reject those values.But let me make it clear today, as I have had cause to do before: any attempt to defeat those values through violence and terror is doomed to failure.Tomorrow morning, Parliament will meet as normal. We will come together as normal.And Londoners - and others from around the world who have come here to visit this great City - will get up and go about their day as normal.They will board their trains, they will leave their hotels, they will walk these streets, they will live their lives.And we will all move forward together. Never giving in to terror. And never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart.
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Webster
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(The Guardian) World leaders have condemned the attack in Westminster. The US president, Donald Trump, offered his condolences during a call to the prime minister, Theresa May, the White House said. He also pledged the “full cooperation and support of the United States government in responding to the attack and bringing those responsible to justice”.

The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, also condemned the attack: I was shocked and saddened to learn of the innocent people who were killed and injured as a result of this cowardly attack.

Canada and the UK are the closest of friends and allies. Our friendship is based on shared values and history – indeed, Canada’s parliament is a descendant of the chamber targeted this morning.

Today’s attack on the UK parliament is an attack on democracies around the world.

The Canadian parliament withstood a similar attack not so long ago by those who sought to instil fear and divide Canadians against themselves. Instead, Canadians came together. I am confident the British people will do the same, and will emerge from their grief stronger and more united than ever before.

On behalf of all Canadians, I offer our full support to prime minister May and to the people of the United Kingdom. We stand ready to offer all possible assistance to the British government, to do what we can to bring to justice those responsible for this heinous act.

Canadians stand united with the British people in the fight against terrorism. We will continue to work together with the UK and all our allies to show the world that freedom and democracy will always triumph.


The leader of the Democrats in the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, also released a statement: Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, survivors, and people of the United Kingdom. The American people share in the outrage and horror at this brutal terrorist attack in London.

The special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States has been critical to securing peace around the world. Together, we will remain strong and smart as we confront terrorists and defeat the threats to our nations. The United Kingdom will always have a friend and partner in the American people.

During this difficult hour, we stand with the British people.”
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Webster
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(Peter Hunt, BBC News - 22March 2017)
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Webster
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(The Guardian) The campaign group Cage has expressed sympathy for today’s victims. It also called on the UK government to enact policies that will bring an end to the “global cycles of violence”.

Dr Adnan Siddiqui, its director, said: We express our deepest sympathies to all those who have lost their lives in this incident and to those many injured.

While we accept that the security services and the police play a crucial role in keeping the public safe, such attacks which require very little planning cannot be thwarted by ever more securitisation and policing of communities. Reactionary policies in the UK have a global ramification and it is important that the government leads with policies that seek to end the global cycles of violence rather than further them.
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Webster
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(The Guardian) (The Guardian's) Heather Stewart has some more information:

Downing Street sources said May spent the afternoon being briefed on the unfolding attack, and chairing a meeting of Cobra, Whitehall’s emergency committee. Home Office minister Ben Wallace stood in for Amber Rudd, who gave a televised statement on the attack from Pakistan, before boarding a plane back to London. Alan Duncan represented the Foreign Office, with Boris Johnson absent on a trip to Washington. Others present included health secretary Jeremy Hunt, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and security and police officers.Both May and Khan are expected to make further public statements on Thursday; but the House of Commons will sit as planned. “The idea is very much business as usual,” the source said.
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--On behalf of Govt. I send our support to PM May & British people. Condolences to the families of the victims and thoughts with the injured. (Enda Kenny, Prime Minister of Ireland - 22 March 2017)
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(The Guardian) Assistant deputy commissioner Mark Rowley names the police officer that has died as Keith Palmer.

The Met police have now confirmed that five people, including the attacker died in the attack today. At least 40 people have been injured.
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--Police release picture of Pc Keith Palmer, the 48-year-old husband and father killed in Westminster attack (ITV News - 22 March 2017)
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(The Guardian) UK foreign minister Boris Johnson, who is in the US for an international meeting discussing the Isis threat, has tweeted about the attack in London...

(1) Heartbreaking. This is not the first attack on London or our Parliament - and won't be the last - but our values will prevail.
(2) Nations around the world are pouring out their sympathies for us today. This is a fight we're all in together.
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Webster
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(The Guardian) Rowley also said that Palmer, who was a member of the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command, had given 15 years’ service. “He was someone who left for work today expecting to return home at the end of his shift and he had every right to expect that would happen,” he said.

Rowley confirmed that, besides Palmer, three members of the public were also killed. “Also, at this stage, but it may change - we believe approximately 40 people were injured, some with serious injuries, including three police officers, two of whom are in a serious condition.”

He added: Terrorists have a clear aim and that is to create discord, distrust and to create fear. The police stand with all communities in the UK and will take action against anyone who seeks to undermine society, especially where their crimes are motivated by hate.

We must recognise now that our Muslim communities will feel anxious at this time given the past behaviour of the extreme right wing and we will continue to work with all community leaders in the coming days.

It’s essential for us to remain vigilant but to also work together - policing and communities - and unite against those who seek, through violence and extremism, to threaten, intimidate and cause fear.

We ask the public to be alert and to report any suspicious activity to the police by calling 0800 789 321, or dialling 999.

Whilst today is an incredibly sad and sombre day, especially for the MPS and everyone affected, it is only right that I mention the pride I feel in the swift and brave response from our officers - especially those who without fear for their own safety had to confront the terrorist.
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(The Guardian) The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has sent his condolences to the family of PC Keith Palmer. In a statement issued on Facebook, Khan said: Tonight we have learned that the courageous police officer who was killed while protecting our city was PC Keith Palmer. He was 48 and a husband and father.

Keith Palmer was killed while bravely doing his duty – protecting our city and the heart of our democracy from those who want to destroy our way of life.

My heart goes out to his family, friends and colleagues.

He personifies the brave men and women of our police and emergency services who work around the clock to keep us safe – tonight all Londoners are grateful to them.

-Read more: https://www.facebook.com/MayorofLondon/posts/437438103269019?match=bWF5b3Igb2YgbG9uZG9u
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--Tonight, at midnight, I will be extinguished to pay tribute to the victims of the London bombing. # TourEiffel (Google Translation; original - Ce soir, à minuit, je m'éteindrai pour rendre hommage aux victimes de l'attentat survenu à Londres. #tourEiffel) (Eiffel Tower, 22 March 2017)

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--The @LibraryofBham lit to show Birmingham's solidarity with London. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by today's #Westminster attack. (John Clancy, Mayor of Birmingham - 22 March 2017)
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(The Guardian) The Metropolitan police has confirmed that PC Keith Palmer was unarmed.

Acting deputy commissioner Mark Rowley explained: Our parliamentary protection team are a combination of armed and unarmed officers doing different roles, and sadly the officer who lost his life today was unarmed.

He was supported by armed colleagues who shot and killed the attacker.

[The attacker] tried to enter parliament and was stopped at the gate.
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(The Guardian) The lockdown of Westminster is over, police have confirmed.

Mark Rowley, acting deputy commissioner of the Met, said hundreds of officers would continue through the night in their work on the investigation into the attack: We are forensically examining a complicated crime scene that covers a wide area, and as with all investigations of this nature it will take us some time to work through the painstaking work necessary to get all of the relevant evidence.

But parliament will reopen on Friday, with business in the chambers expected to resume. Several MPs have already stated their intention to return to Westminster in the morning.

Police have said some entrances to the parliamentary estate will be closed as they are part of the crime scene.

The terror threat level would stay the same – “severe” – Rowley confirmed, adding: On a precautionary basis across the country we are stepping up police patrols – unarmed and armed – and the public will see far more of their local police forces over the forthcoming days, particularly in crowded places and iconic locations.
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(The Guardian) “London is the greatest city in the world and we stand together in the face of those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life,” the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said earlier. “Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.”
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