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
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“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.
Inspector Rose understood Sector 3 patrol to focus on Carriage Gates, not including the collonades, and did not expect them to be static at any point
He expected any change to be emailed to officers and for them to check the ADAM system, and accepted that a laminated map viewed by officers included the whole New Palace Yard area
In January 2015, the threat level increased specifically in relation to police officers.
Postings were changed but a series of emails showed rising complaints about officers not being in the corect positions.
Judge Lucraft says the hostile vehicle mitigation barriers that already existed around parliament were "there to protect the building, not pedestrians"
He recounted evidence from police and officials that they had not known of a terrorist threat to Westminster Bridge specifically, or bridges generally
Barriers were installed across London bridges following the London Bridge attack in June 2017
Judge Lucraft says parliament is guarded by a combination of the Metropolitan Police and parliamentary security staff.
All armed police are the Met's responsibility, as are any major security incidents
Eric Hepburn, the Parliamentary Security Director, said no one had raised concern about crowd control barriers or the opening and closing of gates with him.
On the day of the attack there were three security officers in New Palace Yard, wearing body armour and carrying radios.
Chief Superintendent Dawn Morris said that prior to March 2017, training and an operational document on terrorism was based on the Paris attacks and the prospect of a "marauding" attack
One training exercise was carried out on 19 March 2017 to test capabilities to respond to a threat in London. Other exercises were carried out involving different agencies and scenarios
The Westminster attack was responded to an "Operation Plato" declaration, she said
Judge Lucraft is now addressing the evidence heard on attacker Khalid Masood
