Theresa May: Westminster attack was 'sick and depraved'
Theresa May vows "the voices of hate and聽evil" will never be allowed "to drive us apart" and she will "never give in to terror".
Thursday 23 March 2017 08:00, UK
Theresa May has condemned the "sick and depraved" attack on London in which three people were killed by an attacker, who was shot dead by police.
Speaking in Downing Street, the Prime Minister praised the "exceptional bravery" of police and security services during the attack in Westminster, and also paid tribute to the emergency services as a whole.
She insisted any attempt to defeat the values Parliament stands for was "doomed to failure".
And Mrs May vowed that "the voices of hate and evil" would never be allowed "to drive us apart" and she would "never give in to terror".
, armed with two large knives, drove into a number of pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, before crashing his car into railings and then running through Parliament gates and stabbing a police officer.
The terrorist was killed after being shot by police. The officer also died of his wounds and the other two victims were pedestrians.
Some 29 people were treated in hospital, some with "catastrophic" injuries.
Mrs May said the location of the accident was "no accident" and "terrorists chose to strike at the heart of our capital".
The Prime Minister said: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected, to the victims themselves and to their families and friends, who waved their loved ones off but will not now be welcoming them home.
"For those of us who were in Parliament at the time of this attack, these events provide a particular reminder of the exceptional bravery of our police and security services who risk their lives to keep us safe.
"Once again today, these exceptional men and women ran towards the danger, even as they encouraged others to move the other way."
The PM also said Parliament would meet on Thursday "as normal", adding: "Londoners - and others from around the world who have come here to visit this great City - will get up and go about their day as normal."
She has chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency COBRA committee.
The talks, lasting around 45 minutes, brought together senior ministers as well as senior police officers, representatives of the security agencies and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Mrs May ordered flags to be lowered to half mast over Downing Street as a mark of respect to the innocent victims of the attack.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, also addressed the meeting.
Following the terror attack, which sped away from Parliament.