“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,” Prime Minister of the U.K., Theresa May, said in an address after London experienced a terrorist attack on March 22.
Khalid Masood, a British man and citizen who was born Adrian Ajao, drove his car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, resulting in three fatalities. Masood then attempted to crash into Parliament armed with two knives. Masood killed one police officer, Keith Palmer, who was unarmed during the incident.
Foreign office minister Tobias Ellwood performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on Palmer. Photographs revealed Ellwood’s face and hands to be bloody. He lost his brother in a terror attack in Bali in 2002.
“He was utterly heroic, pure and simple. He went above and beyond and did all he could to save a police officer,” said Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron.
Among the fatalities was U.S. citizen, Kurt Cochran of Utah. Tens of others were injured in the attack.
May said that the perpetrator was involved in an investigation conducted by the British intelligence agency MI5 in 2005.
“He was a peripheral figure and the case is historic…there was no prior intelligence of his intent or the plot,” May said. The Metropolitan Police stressed the importance of the public’s assistance in uncovering potential ties to the subject.
Masood had spent time in Saudi Arabia in 2005. Masood also had an extensive criminal record with instances of grievous bodily harm and owning an offensive weapon. Masood spent two years in prison for an attack with a knife.
Metropolitan Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Rowley said “two further significant arrests” while “massive amounts of computer data” and general items have been seized.
World leaders responded to the incident in solidarity with the U.K. German Chancellor, Angela Merkel said that “in the fight against any form of terrorism we firmly and decidedly stand by Great Britain.”
President of France, Francois Hollande, said that “terrorism concerns us all and France knows how the British people are suffering today.” The comments come after several French school children were injured during the attack.
This is the first major terror attack in London since 2005’s London suicide bombings on public transport systems.
The attack occurred one day before the anniversary of the Brussels bombings. Belgian police intercepted a vehicle speeding without any indication of stopping before it could reach a busy supermarket area.
“He was looking to kill people and to cause something dramatic,” said Hollande.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the London attack, hailing Masood as a “soldier of the Islamic State.” Police continue to probe into the arrests.
A pro-European Union march was still held in the wake of these events in London. Westminster is remaining under tight security for the time being while police continue to probe into the case.
On March 23, there was a candlelight vigil at Trafalgar Square. Home Secretary Amber Rudd spoke to the crowd. “Terrorism will not defeat us.”
Barton Kleen
Executive Editor