Westminster attack inquests - as they happened: Widow of officer killed by terrorist says police 'left him to die' unarmed on Parliament gates

Coroner to draw up 'prevention of future deaths' report with recommendations for police

Westminster attack: Pc Keith Palmer's death ruled as 'preventable'

“Shortcomings in security” outside the Houses of Parliament contributed to the death of a police officer during the Westminster attack, a coroner has concluded.

Judge Mark Lucraft QC, the Chief Coroner of England and Wales, said the Metropolitan Police had allowed the entrance PC Keith Palmer was guarding to be neglected by “roving” armed officers.

PC Palmer's widow said he was "left to die", adding: "How could Keith have been left alone, unarmed, guarding an open gate at one of the most iconic buildings in the world and one of the country’s top terrorist targets?”

Judge Lucraft is to draw up a “prevention of future deaths report” that will contain recommendations for the Metropolitan Police and parliamentary security officials.

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Masood, 52, drove into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge on March 22 last year, killing American tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, retired window cleaner Leslie Rhodes, 75, Aysha Frade, 44, and Romanian tourist Andreea Cristea, 31.

Their relatives expressed hope that "lessons had been learned" from the gruelling three-week inquests.

Delivering his conclusions at the Old Bailey, Judge Lucraft said the two armed officers assigned to the area had not been near Carriage Gates for almost an hour before Khalid Masood struck because they were unaware of official guidance.

“They had been some distance away and out of view of the entrance because they had understood their duty to involve a roving patrol around the yard,” Judge Lucraft said.

“Due to shortcomings in the security system at New Palace Yard, including the supervision of those engaged in such duties, the armed officers were not aware of a requirement to remain in close proximity to the gates.

“Had they been stationed there, it is possible that they may have been able to prevent PC Palmer suffering fatal injuries.”

PC Palmer's widow said her husband had been “left to die” by security failings and accused authorities of letting “lax security” continue at the Houses of Parliament for years.

In his closing argument, Gareth Patterson QC, for families of victims on the bridge, urged the coroner to make a report on the circumstances of the case to “protect the public”.

On the role of MI5, whose knowledge of Masood has been heavily scrutinised, he said: “We do think there is room for improvement in terms of decision-making.”

He suggested security services should look again at when to investigate suspects and when to stop, and to take account of violent backgrounds.

Mr Patterson also called for the Government to “try again” with tightening rules for hiring cars.

Dominic Adamson, representing PC Palmer's widow Michelle, said that there was “a systematic failure” in protecting unarmed officers on guard at the Palace of Westminster.

Key Points

• Chief coroner for England and Wales says 'shortcomings in security' contributed to PC Keith Palmer's death
• Mark Lucraft QC to prepare 'prevention of future deaths report' with recommendations for police
• Inquests hear how five victims of Khalid Masood died
• Judge calls for “distressing” pictures of victims in the aftermath of attack to be removed from the internet
• Separate inquest into Khalid Masood's death to be held

[3 October 2018 11:01 · Lizzie Dearden]

Mr Hough says there may have been a "real prospect" that PC Palmer would not have moved towards the gates if he had armed support, that at least one officer would have stayed there, or that they would have returned quickly to the gate after seeing Masood running towards it

"There must be a real prospect that if one or more of them had been at the gate that one of them would have taken an effective shot."

[3 October 2018 11:03 · Lizzie Dearden]

Mr Hough says that if Article 2 is engaged the coroner's submissions must "address and resolve the key issues" in PC Palmer's death. It does not apply to the deaths of the four victims who were fatally struck by Masood's car on Westminster Bridge

[3 October 2018 11:06 · Lizzie Dearden]

Mr Hough says: "If you find that systematic defects probably contributed to PC Palmer's death, you should say so."

[3 October 2018 11:07 · Lizzie Dearden]

He concedes that it is a "challenging question involving some speculation...but that should not cause you to abandon the challenge of determining whether these deficiencies, if they are found to exist, were contributory to his death"

[3 October 2018 11:08 · Lizzie Dearden]

The coroner is now rising for an hour, when we will resume our live coverage

[3 October 2018 11:13 · Lizzie Dearden]

[3 October 2018 12:13 · Lizzie Dearden]

The coroner is back in court and about to start giving a summary of his conclusions

[3 October 2018 12:14 · Lizzie Dearden]

Judge Lucraft says "one of the most iconic" parts of the UK was attacked, while packed with tourists and people in the area for work or business.

"Each was going about their day as if it was any other day."

[3 October 2018 12:15 · Lizzie Dearden]

Judge Lucraft says he has met the families of the victims privately and praises them for their "great dignity".

He says the day was also "life-changing" for those injured but survived the attack.

"Men, women and young people are seen to have taken an impact on their bodies to the car...29 people received serious injuries in scenes described as some as carnage"

[3 October 2018 12:16 · Lizzie Dearden]

Judge Lucraft says Masood drove his car into pedestrians with "murderous intent".

"I am sure that one of the reasons more people did not die on the bridge is the quite overwhelming acts of those who responded" including doctors from St Thomas's and members of the public.

"Sadly some of the public chose to photograph and film rather than help."