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The Queen offers her 'deepest sympathies' after London terror attack leaves four people dead

Operation London Bridge signifies the start of plans following the Queen's death (Rex)
The Queen has paid tribute in the aftermath of the attack (Picture: Rex)

The Queen has issued a statement following yesterday’s terror attack in London which left four people dead.

In a message to Craig Mackey, the Acting Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, Her Majesty wrote: ‘Following the shocking events in Westminster, Prince Philip and I are sorry that we will not be able to open the New Scotland Yard building as planned today, for very understandable reasons. I look forward to visiting at a later date.

‘My thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathy are with all those who have been affected by yesterday’s awful violence.

‘I know I speak for everyone in expressing my enduring thanks and admiration for the members of the Metropolitan Police Service and all who work so selflessly to help and protect others.’

Theresa May paid tribute in the immediate aftermath of the attack (Picture: AP)
Theresa May paid tribute in the immediate aftermath of the attack (Picture: AP)

The heartfelt address from the monarch comes after four people were killed yesterday afternoon when a lone attacker drove a car over Westminster Bridge and ploughed into a crowd of pedestrians.

The car then crashed into railings outside the Houses of Parliament, before the attacker left the car and ran to Parliament – where PC Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old married father was fatally stabbed.

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The attacker was subsequently shot dead by police.

In a defiant message to the House of Commons earlier today, Theresa May said: ‘Yesterday an act of terrorism tried to silence our democracy, but today we meet as normal, as generations have done before us and as future generations will continue to do, to deliver a simple message: “We are not afraid and our resolve will never waver in the face of terrorism”‘.