London attack as it happened: Five dead and 40 injured after terror incident in Westminster

Westminster terror attack: Timeline of events

A police officer has been stabbed and an alleged assailant shot by armed police outside the Houses of Parliament.

Here's what we know so far:

• Police officer died after being stabbed outside Parliament
• Two people reported dead after a car ploughed into crowd on Westminster bridge causing multiple casualties
• Metropolitan police are treating this as a terrorist incident
• Eyewitness account of the stabbing incident outside Parliament gate
• Donald Trump has been briefed on the attack, Sean Spicer confirms
• Theresa May was '40 yards away' from scene of stabbing, was immediately evacuated and confirmed safe
• House of Commons session suspended and MPs evacuated

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Commons Leader David Lidington has told MPs a "police officer has been stabbed" and the "alleged assailant was shot by armed police" following a "serious" incident within the parliamentary estate.

Minutes later, an emergency services helicopter landed in Parliament Square, as sirens were heard outside.

Iframe:

Air ambulance medics came from the helicopter to assist the casualties.

A woman was confirmed dead after a car ploughed into corwds on Westminster Bridge causing multiple casualties (Reuters)

Two people lay on the ground in the yard. One of them appeared to have had clothes removed as emergency workers attempted to resuscitate the pair.

Parliament Square was closed to traffic.

[22 March 2017 17:39 · Lizzie Dearden]

Bus driver: 'A couple of seconds later I heard gunshots. It was a horrible sight.' He saw 15-20 injured people on ground

[22 March 2017 17:40 · Rob Merrick]

Terror comes to Parliament, what I witnessed today - independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-n…

[22 March 2017 17:40 · Lizzie Dearden]

Bus driver: 'I got everyone off my bus but I had to leave it on the bridge. The police said it's part of the crime scene.'

[22 March 2017 17:44 · Andrew Griffin]

Donald Trump has spoken to Theresa May about the attack, Sean Spicer said in a press briefing just now.

[22 March 2017 17:45 · Andrew Griffin]

People being held in the central lobby have been moved into Westminster Hall, where journalists with offices in parliament, and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, are among those waiting. Former Labour leader Ed Miliband was seen being led through the hall.

[22 March 2017 17:46 · Andrew Griffin]

The journalists who are being held in Westminster Hall have been told that they need to stay there so that their evidence can be taken, according to Independent political reporter Joe Watts. 

Joe Watts

@JoeWatts_

An official says there are 3 priorities, dealing with anyone ill or sick, recovering evidence and questioning witnesses

5:43 PM - 22 Mar 2017

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Joe Watts

@JoeWatts_

...they are going to harvest digital evidence from us via email - pics, film etc, there must be tons of it

5:44 PM - 22 Mar 2017

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[22 March 2017 17:48 · Andrew Griffin]

Hundreds of people are also waiting in Westminster Abbey, which has become a place of sanctuary after the attack, writes the Press Association's Sam Lister:

Hundreds of people were evacuated from Parliament to Westminster Abbey.

Addressing the crowd, which included ministers, MPs, peers and tourists, from the pulpit a Met Police superintendent said it would take around 90 minutes to process everyone.

An email address and website was given out so eyewitnesses can upload any pictures or videos of what happened for use in evidence.

Police said people would be assessed to see if they have any information.

A prayer was then said for the victims of the attack.

[22 March 2017 17:49 · Andrew Griffin]

 Donald Trump has spoken to Mrs May about the attack, the President's spokesman Sean Spicer said, adding: "We condemn today's attack."

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said: "On behalf of the United States, I express my condolences to the victims and their families.

"The American people send their thoughts and prayers to the people of the United Kingdom.

"We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference."

[22 March 2017 17:53 · Andrew Griffin]

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "My thoughts are with everyone caught up in the dreadful incident at Westminster today, including the emergency services who responded bravely to ensure the safety of the many people nearby."Following the incident the Scottish Government has been liaising closely with Police Scotland and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has been briefed by the Chief Constable."This afternoon our officials held a Scottish Government resilience (SGoRR) meeting with Police Scotland, to ensure that any potential implications for Scotland are considered and I will convene a Ministerial SGoRR meeting later this evening."We have been in regular dialogue with the Parliament and I fully support the decision of the Presiding Officer to suspend proceedings this afternoon. It should be made clear, however, that this was not because of any specific threat to the parliament or to Scotland"We are liaising with our counterparts in the UK Government and the Scottish Government stands ready to support in any way we can."

[22 March 2017 18:00 · Andrew Griffin]

Four people are dead after the attack, according to a Met Police statement just now. At least 20 people have been injured.