Westminster attack inquests - as they happened: Widow of officer killed by terrorist says police 'left him to die' unarmed on Parliament gates
Coroner to draw up 'prevention of future deaths' report with recommendations for police
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“Shortcomings in security” outside the Houses of Parliament contributed to the death of a police officer during the Westminster attack, a coroner has concluded.
Judge Mark Lucraft QC, the Chief Coroner of England and Wales, said the Metropolitan Police had allowed the entrance PC Keith Palmer was guarding to be neglected by “roving” armed officers.
PC Palmer's widow said he was "left to die", adding: "How could Keith have been left alone, unarmed, guarding an open gate at one of the most iconic buildings in the world and one of the country’s top terrorist targets?”
Judge Lucraft is to draw up a “prevention of future deaths report” that will contain recommendations for the Metropolitan Police and parliamentary security officials.
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Masood, 52, drove into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge on March 22 last year, killing American tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, retired window cleaner Leslie Rhodes, 75, Aysha Frade, 44, and Romanian tourist Andreea Cristea, 31.
Their relatives expressed hope that "lessons had been learned" from the gruelling three-week inquests.
Delivering his conclusions at the Old Bailey, Judge Lucraft said the two armed officers assigned to the area had not been near Carriage Gates for almost an hour before Khalid Masood struck because they were unaware of official guidance.
“They had been some distance away and out of view of the entrance because they had understood their duty to involve a roving patrol around the yard,” Judge Lucraft said.
“Due to shortcomings in the security system at New Palace Yard, including the supervision of those engaged in such duties, the armed officers were not aware of a requirement to remain in close proximity to the gates.
“Had they been stationed there, it is possible that they may have been able to prevent PC Palmer suffering fatal injuries.”
PC Palmer's widow said her husband had been “left to die” by security failings and accused authorities of letting “lax security” continue at the Houses of Parliament for years.
In his closing argument, Gareth Patterson QC, for families of victims on the bridge, urged the coroner to make a report on the circumstances of the case to “protect the public”.
On the role of MI5, whose knowledge of Masood has been heavily scrutinised, he said: “We do think there is room for improvement in terms of decision-making.”
He suggested security services should look again at when to investigate suspects and when to stop, and to take account of violent backgrounds.
Mr Patterson also called for the Government to “try again” with tightening rules for hiring cars.
Dominic Adamson, representing PC Palmer's widow Michelle, said that there was “a systematic failure” in protecting unarmed officers on guard at the Palace of Westminster.
Police stopped people running into the nearby entrance to the Houses of Parliament for security reasons, with one shouting a warning that there was a man with knives.
The officer then saw Masood stabbing PC Palmer "with such force that the blades were bending on impact".
The officer saw a plain clothed officer shout a warning - "armed police" - at Masood but said he did not drop his knives and moved towards the officer before being shut.
The officer said that at the time unarmed officers were on gates to open and shut them, and armed officers stationed further back to "react" to any threat.
The former authorised firearms officer said it was "routine" to patrol the entire of New Palace Yard rather than staying at a gate, and would not have expected AFOs to be in close proximity to Carriage Gates.
PC Douglas Blades, who was also on duty, had also been an armed diplomatic protection officer previously.
He said that before he stopped being an AFO in 2012, armed officers were stationed on Carriage Gates behind unarmed officers but knew they had later changed to a roving patrol
He described an "eerie millisecond of silence" after the sound of the crash, and then screaming. He saw a "mass of people" running around the corner.
One member of the public shouted "they're throwing grenades" and he could not comprehend what was happening. As he looked over his shoulder he saw Masood inside the grounds but feared there were multiple attackers.
He saw Masood chasing PC Carlisle before close protection officers opened fire. He took first aid kits to PC Palmer's side and was calling out for an ambulance, which he then led to the victim
PC Carlisle, who had just been relieved from duty, described hearing a "loud bang" coming from Bridge Street and heard reports of a possible explosion over his radio.
He inferred there had been a high-speed collision after seeing the car, then heard shouting and screaming. He stepped out onto the street and a member of the public in a suit shouted that there were men with knives stabbing people.
He saw Masood running through the crowd "looking directly at the police officers at the gates, ignoring members of the public"
PC Palmer was at the gates and encouraging members of the public to come through as other officers shouted for the gates to be shut.
He saw him being driven backwards and ran forwards with the intention of rugby tackling Masood. The distraction enabled PC Palmer to get to his feet and PC Carlisle kept running, gesturing to Masood as the attacker when close protection officers ran in with their handguns drawn
Judge Lucraft is recounting evidence by minister Tobias Ellwood, who was on his way into Portcullis House when he heard the crash.
He ran into people shouting "go back, go back" and went through the abandoned collonades opposite Parliament. He saw a number of armed police pointing their weapons at Carriage Gates and two men on the ground
