Hero MP Tobias Ellwood 'heartbroken' that he couldn't save life of police officer in Westminster terror attack

The MP who desperately tried to help a police officer during the Westminster terror attack has said he is “heartbroken” that he could not save his life.

Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to PC Keith Palmer after he was stabbed by terrorist Khalid Masood during Wednesday’s attack at the Palace of Westminster.

Mr Ellwood, a former soldier himself, has been praised as a hero after his attempts to help the policeman, with pictures of him amid the chaos beamed across the world.

The MP, who lost his own brother Jonathan during the 2002 Bali bombing, has already been appointed to the Privy Council in recognition of his role in responding to the shock attack, along with security minister Ben Wallace.

But in a statement, Mr Ellwood said he is heartbroken that he could not do more to save PC Palmer, and will be writing to his family to offer his condolences.

He said: “I am heartbroken that I could not do more for Pc Keith Palmer who gave his life in holding the line against terrorism and defending democracy. I shall be writing to the family of Pc Palmer to offer my sincere condolences.”

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“It is right that despite the terrible events on Wednesday, Parliamentary business continued the next day as usual, the democratic machine was not interrupted and our way of life did not stop.”

He said he was “deeply humbled and overwhelmed” by messages of support he has received, especially from the policing fraternity.

He added: “I played only a small part that day, doing what I was taught to do, and am honoured to have been invited to join the Privy Council afterwards.

“It is right that we concentrate our thoughts on the victims as we stand side by side to protect all that we hold dear, including our precious values and way of life which will always prevail.”

Mr Ellwood reportedly told the Sunday Express: “The story is not about me. He was the hero, not me. I don’t deserve the praise because I couldn’t save him.”