UK launches major counter-terrorism investigation after “terror” attack near UK parliament

Five people are now known to have died and at least 40 injured in a terrorist attack near the UK parliament. A lone attacker was shot dead by police after killing three pedestrians and fatally stabbing an officer in Westminster, London. Police say at least 40 other people were injured when a car being driven by the assailant ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge. A major counter-terrorism investigation is underway in the British capital. Police quickly announced they were treating the attack as a terrorist incident and parliament remained in lockdown for a number of hours. The assailant was shot and killed by armed police after attacking an officer with a knife. The unarmed officer who later died of his wounds has been named as Keith Palmer who was 48, a husband and a father. There were chaotic scenes when the attack began. A car was driven at speed over Westminster Bridge, hitting a number of people, including three police officers. It then crashed near the parliament building and the attacker then tried to enter parliament. Debate in the House of Commons was suspended and MPs were told to stay inside. The prime minister, who was just reportedly metres away from the incident, was rapidly moved to safety. The Scottish Parliament suspended a debate on an independence vote as the news came through from London. Emergency services were on site within minutes of the attack. Three French school children aged between 15 and 16 were among the injured, French officials confirmed, and two Romanian citizens were also confirmed among the injured. As Londoners reeled from the news, extra police were deployed in the capital and a security cordon remained around the area as night fell. The attack comes one year to the day after deadly terrorist attacks in Brussels left 32 people dead. It also marks the latest assault in which a vehicle has been used as a weapon after an attack in Berlin in December. Britain is on its second-highest alert level of ‘severe’ meaning an attack was considered highly likely.