One year after the Westminster attack, memorials are taking place to remember the victims and survivors of the four terrorist attacks which took place across London last year.
Fourteen people were killed and more than 100 others injured in attacks in Westminster, London Bridge and Borough Market, Finsbury Park mosque and Parsons Green tube station.
Theresa May lay a wreath of purple and white flowers on Parliament Square, with a hand written note which read: “In memory of those who were lost, and in defiance of those who would seek to silence democracy”.
Five people were killed and more than 50 injured when Kent-born Khalid Masood drove a car into pedestrians on the south side of Westminster Bridge, before fatally stabbing PC Palmer in New Palace Yard.
MP and trained medic Tobias Ellwood treated the police officer at the scene, but his life couldn’t be saved.
Masood was shot dead by armed police at the scene.
One year on, fellow officer PC Shaun Cartwright, who was arriving at work to take over guard from PC Palmer, has paid tribute to his friend.
Describing the moment he was told of the attack, PC Cartwright told Sky News: “I didn’t know who it was. I asked a few people, but I don’t know if they didn’t want to tell me or they didn’t know. Finally someone told me, it’s your friend Keith.
“I knew by then that he’d gone. I lost a really good friend. Considering the jobs that we’d done before on the Territorial Support Group (TSG) – drugs raids and rapid entries – you can almost imagine it happening there but not at the Houses of Parliament.
“Wherever he was he enjoyed work. He always came in with a smile on his face and just wanted to get on and do his best. I’d have liked to have my friend beside me rather than attending his funeral. It’s not the way it should be. He was proud to be a policeman.”
In the chambers of the House of Commons, MPs from all parties observed a minute’s silence “in respectful memory” of those who died, at the same time as a service of commemoration took place in Westminster Hall, attended by Amber Rudd.
Ahead of the service, the Home Secretary tweeted: “One year on, I will be remembering those affected by the Westminster attack. The professionalism of the emergency services and the bravery of PC Keith Palmer on that day will never be forgotten and my thoughts continue to be with the victims and their families #LondonUnited”.
Led by the Reverend Prebendary Jonathan Osborne, the senior chaplain to the Metropolitan Police Service, a blessing was also given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
The message #LondonUnited will also be projected onto the four locations where the attacks took place – London Bridge, Finsbury Park Mosque, Parsons Green underground station and the Houses of Parliament.
A digital book of condolence will be open to the public until 19 June, when it will become part of a 3D installation in City Hall.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “Londoners will never forget the horrific terror attacks on our city in 2017. We will never forget the bravery of our emergency services and first responders who ran towards danger while urging the rest of us to run to safety.
“And we will never forget the courage of PC Keith Palmer, who paid the ultimate sacrifice whilst protecting Parliament.
From – SkyNews
