UK

Five dead in Westminster terror attack

Two policemen stand guard at a cordoned off area on the way to the Houses of Parliament in central London. Picture by Matt Dunham, Associated Press
Two policemen stand guard at a cordoned off area on the way to the Houses of Parliament in central London. Picture by Matt Dunham, Associated Press Two policemen stand guard at a cordoned off area on the way to the Houses of Parliament in central London. Picture by Matt Dunham, Associated Press
By Staff Reporter

FIVE people have died and around 40 others have been injured in the Westminster terror attack, Scotland Yard's top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley has confirmed.

The unarmed police officer who died was named as Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old husband and father.

Paying tribute to Mr Palmer, Mr Rowley said: "He was someone who left for work today expecting to return home at the end of his shift - and he had every right to expect that would happen."

The attacker, armed with two large knives, mowed down pedestrians with his car on Westminster Bridge then rushed at the gates in front of the Houses of Parliament, stabbing the policeman before being shot dead by other officers.

Some of those hurt have been described as suffering "catastrophic" injuries.