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.
Judge Lucraft is now giving his findings on the death of PC Keith Palmer.
He says Masood's car had swerved around hostile vehicle mitigation barriers at the base of Elizabeth Tower and then crashed into railings outside the Houses of Parliament.
He remained in the car for several seconds before getting out and running towards Carriage Gates armed with knives.
He says PC Palmer moved towards Masood and was immediately attacked, until another officer briefly distracted Masood. PC Palmer was able to get up and run away.
He had been stabbed using two knives, with Masood using both hands in a "ferocious" attack.
Judge Lucraft says a member of the public who challenged Masood was told to "f*** off" and he appeared to ignore a woman with a child who begged him not to kill her
A witness described Masood "moving quickly but not sprinting" and waving a knife as people tried to run away. She saw at least two people injured by his crashed car.
She described PC Palmer being chased by Masood and stabbed on the ground multiple times. She saw a plain clothed protection officers run in from a restricted area and open fire with a handgun.
James West, who was attending an event in nearby Portcullis House, saw the attack from a window.
He said people initially went towards the car after the crash, possibly to help the driver in the belief it was an accident, but quickly turned and started running
There was a large crowd of people on the corner of Parliament Square, waiting to cross the road and taking photos of Big Ben, who ran.
Mr West saw PC Palmer fall and being attacked by Masood. He said the officer appeared to "try to curl himself up small". He desribed it like something you see in a horror film.
He described the stabbing as "repeated and constant", rather than frenzied.
He was "amazed" that PC Palmer briefly got up afterwards and ran, but moved away from the window after a colleague raised fears there could be a bomb in the car
PC Palmer was equipped with handcuffs, an extendable baton, incapacitant CS spray, a radio, and body armour.
The vehicle gates were kept open from 7am until 10pm at that time, and a PC said they were heavy and difficult to open and close.
An officer on the south gate said he was not aware where the two armed officers patrolling New Palace Yard were at 2.30pm on the day.
The officer, who was formerly an armed officer, said there was no known practice to be at the vehicle gates when they were open.
He heard the crash and then screaming, as people started running.