THE man believed to have carried out the attack in Westminster has been named by police as Khalid Masood. Kent-born Masood, who died in the attack, was not the subject of any current police investigations, but had a range of previous convictions. The 52-year-old was believed to have been living in the West Midlands.

The so-called Islamic State group has said it was behind the attack, in which PC Keith Palmer, Aysha Frade and US tourist Kurt Cochran were killed. Eight arrests were made in London and Birmingham following Wednesday’s attack. Police said there had been no prior intelligence about Masood’s intention to carry out an attack.

But he was known to the police and his previous convictions included GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences. His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife.

He had not been convicted of any terrorism offences. PC Palmer, who was attacked in the grounds of Parliament, was a 48-year-old father. He was an unarmed member of the parliamentary and diplomatic protection squad, with 15 years’ service.

His family said in a statement that he would be remembered as a “wonderful dad and husband”. They also described him as “a loving son, brother and uncle. A long-time supporter of Charlton FC. Dedicated to his job and proud to be a police officer, brave and courageous. A friend to everyone who knew him. “He will be deeply missed. We love him so much.

“His friends and family are shocked and devastated by his loss and ask that they are left to grieve alone in peace.” A JustGiving page set up for the family of PC Palmer reached its target of £100,000 on Thursday afternoon, less than 24 hours after it had been set up. That target has since been doubled.

Mrs Frade worked at a London college, while Mr Cochran was from Utah, in the US, and had been visiting the capital with his wife Melissa, who is in hospital with serious injuries.  According to a family statement, the couple had been celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary and were due to return to the US on Thursday.

Mrs Frade and Mr Cochran were killed on Westminster Bridge when the attacker drove his car along the pavement. In the attack, Masood drove a car along a pavement on Westminster Bridge, knocking down pedestrians, creating panic and leaving dozens injured.

After crashing his car into railings, he then ran towards Parliament where he stabbed PC Palmer. Armed police then shot Masood, killing him. Seven of those injured by Masood are still in hospital in a critical condition. A further 29 had been treated in hospital, police said.

Cars hire company Enterprise said the vehicle used in the attack had been rented from its Spring Hill depot in Birmingham. The BBC understands Masood had hired the Hyundai SUV in person, giving his profession as a teacher.

In the Commons on Thursday, Prime Minister Theresa May paid tribute to PC Palmer saying: “He was every inch a hero and his actions will never be forgotten.” She told MPs, many of whom had been caught up in the commotion on Wednesday: “We will never waver in the face of terrorism.”

An emotional James Cleverly MP asked Mrs May to consider recognising posthumously the “gallantry and sacrifice” made by PC Palmer, who he had known from his time in the Army. Mrs Frade worked at a London sixth-form college just a few hundred metres from Westminster Bridge.

The principal at DLD College, Rachel Borland, said she was “highly regarded and loved by our students and by her colleagues”. Mrs May said 12 Britons had been admitted to hospital and other victims included three French children, two Romanians, four South Koreans, one German, one Pole, one Irish, one Chinese, one Italian, one American and two Greeks.

Thierry Terret, who is in charge of schools in Brittany, said the three injured students were not in a life-threatening condition and were on their way home. – BBC

—  Mar 23, 2017 @ 17:50 GMT

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