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 15:47 · Lizzie Dearden]

Mr Buck didn't hear any gunshots. He had arrived in the UK on Saturday and was planning to visit Westminster Abbey

[22 March 2017 15:48 · Andrew Griffin]

Scottish SNPs are talking about suspending debate in Holyrood, too. 

Murdo Fraser

@murdo_fraser

Not sure how appropriate it is for this @ScotParl debate to carry on given the shocking news from Westminster

3:31 PM - 22 Mar 2017

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Ruth Davidson

@RuthDavidsonMSP

Agreed. https://t.co/1Nn9VKttUO

3:32 PM - 22 Mar 2017

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[22 March 2017 15:49 · Andrew Griffin]

Theresa May was still on the parliamentary estate following Prime Minister's Questions when the attacker struck, The Independent's political editor Joe Watts has confirmed.Witnesses saw the Prime Minister being led to her car, with the vehicle about to leave when officers then prevented it from driving into New Palace Yard where the incident occurred.

[22 March 2017 15:51 · Kimberley Leonard]

Ambulance services saying pls don't call an ambulance unless it's a genuine emergency - services needed in #Westminster

[22 March 2017 15:51 · Paul Waugh]

Body now covered with two grey blankets. Definitely dead. Assume its the assailant but can't confirm.

[22 March 2017 15:52 · Paul Waugh]

Message to all of us in Parliament. Entire building in lockdown. We not allowed to move location.

[22 March 2017 15:52 · Andrew Griffin]

[22 March 2017 15:55 · Andrew Griffin]

Buckingham Palace declined to comment about its security arrangements in light of the terrorist incident and referred all inquiries to the Met Police.But with the Royal Standard flying above the palace - indicating the Queen was in residence - it was clear some precautions had been taken as the gates, patrolled by armed police, had been closed.

[22 March 2017 15:56 · Andrew Griffin]

One of the Guardian's political editors reports that two suspects were caught on Westminster Bridge, potentially in addition to the man who was shot. 

Heather Stewart

@GuardianHeather

Our @rowenamason who has just been evacuated from Portcullis House says police have told her two suspects were caught on Westminster Bridge.

3:44 PM - 22 Mar 2017

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[22 March 2017 15:57 · Jay Borselle]

#London Ambulance Service statement on #Parliament attack: "we have declared a major incident" http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7iLIWtVsAAT0S_.jpg