Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

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

Andrew Griffin,Samuel Osborne
Wednesday 22 March 2017 15:42 GMT
Westminster terror attack: Timeline of events

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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:

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load

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
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.

    Nobody's scared, Nige. We're carrying on. Didn't you once hide from Scottish protesters in a pub? twitter.com/nigel_farage/s…

    hrtbps27 March 2017 08:52

    Here are those "six tests" in full. Not entirely sure if they are redlines or whether it's just empty rhetoric.... http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C76NN_eWkAELu-O.jpg

    Ashley Cowburn27 March 2017 08:54

    Then Davis told the select committee it was just an "ambition"... twitter.com/anna_soubry/st…

    Rob Merrick27 March 2017 08:59

    Also if anyone doesn't believe me Ken has a One Direction mug, here's the evidence: http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C76TAeMXgAATe_O.jpg

    Ashley Cowburn27 March 2017 09:19

    Ex-cyber security chief says Government is 'using' Westminster attack to grab unnecessary spying powers independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…

    Joe Watts27 March 2017 09:55

    A one-off wealth tax wouldn’t reduce the deficit because the deficit is a repeating annual figure twitter.com/georgeeaton/st…

    Jon Stone27 March 2017 10:14

    The Independent’s @SimonCalder reveals why the Government’s in-flight laptop ban is "useless"…. - independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

    Rob Merrick27 March 2017 11:10

    Even if Bercow insists on #PMQs running until 12.45….?? twitter.com/AdamBienkov/st…

    Rob Merrick27 March 2017 11:39

    My fav suggestion was the Article 50 letter to be tattoed on a cow + catapulted over the Channel….but apparently a letter will be delivered

    Rob Merrick27 March 2017 11:49

    Love the idea that Bercow could derail Brexit by keeping #PMQs running and running….for the next five years maybe?

    Rob Merrick27 March 2017 12:03

    Thank you for registering

    Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in