London terror incident: House of Commons session suspended after car and knife attack

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Washington Bureau Chief

Proceedings at the House of Commons have been suspended after a man was shot outside Parliament.

Staff inside the building were told to stay in their offices. MPs that were in the chamber when sitting was suspended were told to stay inside the House of Commons.

Commons Leader David Lidington has told MPs a "police officer has been stabbed" and the "alleged assailant was shot by armed police" following a "serious" incident within the parliamentary estate.

Parliament will be in shutdown until further notice, the Speaker said.

Officials made the announcement in the chamber as parliamentary activity was going on.

London police said they were called to a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge near the British parliament on Wednesday.

"We were called at approx 2:40 pm to reports of an incident at Westminster Bridge. Being treated as a firearms incident - police on scene," the Metropolitan police said on Twitter.

Dennis Burns, who was just entering Parliament for a meeting when the security alert happened, told the Press Association: "As I was coming through the doors at Portcullis House, a policeman grabbed someone who was coming in and threw him out.

"As we were coming though the glass doors I was told by one security guard to get out while another one told me to get in.

"As I walked in I heard a security guard get a radio message saying 'a policeman has been stabbed'.

"Then I walked in as police officers and security start rushing out of the front doors on to the street.

"When I got inside I was wondering what the hell was going on and I saw dozens of panicked people running down the street. The first stream was around 30 people and the second stream was 70 people.

"It looked like they were running for their lives."

Commons leader David Lidington said the House of Commons would "remain in lockdown" until further notice.

He said: "I shall endeavour to do the very best I can, both at the despatch box and by communicating with my opposite numbers in other political parties, to ensure that Members are kept aware of what is happening but at the moment the very clear advice from the police and the director of security in the House is that we should remain under suspension and that the chamber should remain in lockdown until we receive advice that it is safe to go back to normal procedures."

Shadow leader of the House Valerie Vaz said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the police officer and to thank the police and all the security services and all the staff for looking after us so well."

Mr Lidington, in a later statement to MPs, confirmed the House of Commons would adjourn for the day.

He said: "There have been conversations through the usual channels.

"I hope the House would agree that in the current circumstances it would not be right to continue with today's business."

MPs shouted in favour of a motion to adjourn the sitting.

Follow the latest updates here:

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1490196823

Not clear how many people are injured on Westminster Bridge: some reports are suggesting as many as a dozen, but for the moment it is clear only that multiple people are injured.

Andrew Griffin22 March 2017 15:33

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Being told by Commons authorities to stay in offices until further notice - thoughts with those injured in the incident

Ashley Cowburn22 March 2017 15:33

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Here's everything we know so far

Westminster attack: What we know so farThe IndependentA policeman has been stabbed and an alleged assailant shot by armed police in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. Here is what we know so far: A car is reported to have driven into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge. He then continued around the corner, crashing into the railings outside Parliament. The driver appears to have got out the vehicle, reported to be a four by four, a policeman was stabbed and the assailant shot. Multiple injuries are reported on and around Westminster Bridge More follows

Andrew Griffin22 March 2017 15:35

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Met Police are now treating the incident as a "terrorist incident": news.met.police.uk/news/latest-on…

Ashley Cowburn22 March 2017 15:35

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Here's David Lidington's statement to Parliament

Full statement on Parliament shootingThe IndependentThe House of Commons has been suspended following reports of a shooting outside Parliament. Parliament was put on lockdown after a police officer was stabbed by an attacker, who was then shot by police. Officers also said police were called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby.

Andrew Griffin22 March 2017 15:36

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Met police has announced that it is treating the attack as a terrorist incident. Here is the statement in full:Police are asking people to avoid the following areas: Parliament Square; Whitehall; Westminster Bridge; Lambeth Bridge; Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube.This is to allow the emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident.Police were called at approximately 14:40 hours to reports of an incident in Westminster Bridge, SW1. It is being treated as a firearms incident.Officers - including firearms officers - remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.We thank the public for their assistance.

Andrew Griffin22 March 2017 15:37

1490197050

Am in a pub in Westminster charging my phone - everyone is glued to the news in silence

Jon Stone22 March 2017 15:37

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BREAKING, NEW: I am told by a staffer inside Portcullis House that police have concerns over a car currently parked on Westminster Bridge

Ross Kempsell22 March 2017 15:37

1490197201

Donald Trump has spoken to reporters, according to NBC: According to US network NBC, President Donald Trump told reporters: "I was just getting an update on London. Some big news having to do with London just happened."

Andrew Griffin22 March 2017 15:40

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Bradford Buck was on holiday from the US when the incident unfolded in front of him: 'It was terrifying' http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7iIAo7WkAA0Qx6.jpg

Lizzie Dearden22 March 2017 15:40

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