London terror attack: Bomb squad called to Parliament after suspicious package found in vehicle
'Armed officers searched the whole of the Parliament estate to make sure there were no suspects outstanding'
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 bomb squad has been called to investigate a suspicious vehicle near Parliament after a suspected terror attack.
An announcement made in parliament said the discovery had halted a planned evacuation.
Lord Brian Paddick said there was a "suspect package" outside Parliament which police have had to deal with before the building can be evacuated.
"There was a suspect package attached to a vehicle outside Parliament," the retired police officer told the BBC.
"Armed officers searched the whole of the Parliament estate to make sure there were no suspects outstanding."
It came after a police officer was stabbed and an alleged assailant shot by armed police outside the Houses of Parliament.
A woman has also been confirmed dead and a number of others are injured after a car rammed into members of the public on Westminster Bridge.
Follow the latest updates:
Please wait for the live blog to load
The Independent's deputy political editor Rob Merrick said: "Two men have been shot - one, presumably the assailant looked like he could be dead.
"The second, a police officer, was wounded but moving. I saw at least one man running towards the exit of New Palace Yard, underneath Big Ben.
"Police were shouting at him, presumably to stop and/or drop his weapon. I think I heard two shots.
"A police officer fell to the ground clutching his arm or shoulder.
Two people were seen lying within Old Palace Yard, immediately outside Westminster Hall.
Minutes after the incident, an emergency services helicopter landed in Parliament Square, as sirens were heard outside.
Air ambulance medics came from the helicopter to assist the casualties.
Witness Don Brind told the Press Association he heard shots being fired and saw two people apparently injured on the ground.
Mr Brind, a researcher for MPs, said: "I heard some shouting and saw some running out of the corner of my eye and then a short time after that there was a shot. I looked and I saw a civilian on the ground, with somebody standing over him with what I assumed to be a gun.
"Then I looked and about 10 yards away, there was a yellow jacketed person on the ground, who appeared to be alive and talking."
He said he assumed the person in the high-visibility jacket was a police officer.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments