Islamic State (ISIS) claims responsibility for London terror attack at Westminster
Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for yesterday’s terror attack at Westminster.
The terrorist group said the London attacker was a ‘soldier of the Islamic State’, via its news agency Amaq.
Eight people have been arrested in connection with the incident, which left four people dead after an attacker drove along the pavement of Westminster Bridge and then stabbed a police officer. The assailant was shot dead.
One of the victims has been named today as Aysha Frade, who was on her way across Westminster Bridge to collect her children from school. PC Keith Palmer was named last night as the police officer killed in the attack.
Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed earlier that the attacker was British-born, and said he was “known to MI5”.
May told MPs in the House of Commons the man, who has not yet been identified in the press, was a “peripheral figure” who was once investigated in relation to concerns about violent extremism.
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the policeman killed in the line of duty during yesterday’s attack.
“PC Palmer had devoted his life to the service of his country,” she said.
“He had been a member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command for 15 years, and a soldier in the Royal Artillery before that.
“He was a husband and a father, killed doing a job he loved. He was every inch a hero. And his actions will never be forgotten.”
Her speech was followed by emotional calls from MPs who want to award PC Palmer a posthumous honour or create some kind of formal memorial to the officer.