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 15:42 · Andrew Griffin]

The incident is clearly not over. Independent politics reporter Jon Stone says police are still concerned about a suspect vehicle near parliament 

Jon Stone

@joncstone

Police saying there’s a suspect vehicle near Parliament, some have been allowed to leave. Crowds being moved away from Parliament Square

3:39 PM - 22 Mar 2017

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Jon Stone

@joncstone

Cordon around Parliament is being extended, police shouting at people to get back

3:40 PM - 22 Mar 2017

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[22 March 2017 15:42 · Lizzie Dearden]

The air ambulance has now taken off from #Westminster . Police helicopter overhead http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7iIhanX0AER3iK.jpg

[22 March 2017 15:43 · Lizzie Dearden]

Mr Buck said he saw the car hit gates to the Houses of Parliament and someone underneath 'looking pretty bad' before armed police ran in

[22 March 2017 15:45 · Andrew Griffin]

The air ambulance that arrived soon after the event has now left the scene, reportedly carrying the man who was shot by officers.

[22 March 2017 15:45 · Lizzie Dearden]

Another person tried to help the man under the car, Mr Buck said, but emergency services arrived: 'I've never seen such a quick response'

[22 March 2017 15:45 · Andrew Griffin]

Steve Voake, 55, was walking across the Westminster Bridge towards the South Bank when he saw the aftermath. He said he saw at least two bodies lying on the road and one in the water."I saw a trainer lying in the road and when I looked more closely I saw that there were a couple of bodies the other side of the road," he told the Press Association. "And when I looked over the side there was another body lying in the water with blood all around it."

[22 March 2017 15:46 · Jon Stone]

Only yesterday Parliament’s head of security told Home Affairs Committee MPs were in “very good position” in terms of security in parliament http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7iJQgEXUAEkyTQ.jpg

[22 March 2017 15:47 · Lizzie Dearden]

Mr Buck said he was terrified and tried to push his wife and friends behind concrete barriers #Westminster

[22 March 2017 15:47 · peterwalker99]

Police are now covering the body on the cobbles in two big grey blankets. Very clear whoever under them is dead. Still don't know who.

[22 March 2017 15:47 · Jon Stone]

I’m not saying that isn’t the case, to be clear - it appears at this stage security has protected MPs