At least two people have died after a knifeman mowed down pedestrians then stabbed a policeman before being shot by armed officers outside the Houses of Parliament.
The attacker was shot several times as he approached a second officer within yards of the Houses of Parliament.
Paramedics fought to save his life and that of his victim on the floor of the cobbled courtyard in front of Parliament with Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood among those who rushed to help.
Colleen Anderson, a junior doctor at St Thomas' hospital, said a woman was killed as the attacker drove a grey Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge before crashing it into railings then running through the gates of the Palace of Westminster.
PICTURES: Images from aftermath of Westminster terror attack
She also said she treated a police officer in his 30s with a head injury who had been taken to King's College hospital.
At least one of the people being treated in the palace courtyard was wheeled away on a stretcher with their face covered.
The attack left a trail of destruction as paramedics tended to victims on the bridge and at the gate.
Prime Minister Theresa May was seen being ushered into a silver Jaguar in the grounds of the palace as what sounded like gunfire rang out at around 2.45pm.
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Key Events
Five South Korean tourists among the injured
A tour agency official told Yonhap News Agency that four South Korean tourists were among those injured. One of them seriously.
Car 'was rented in Birmingham'
The car used by the attacker in Wednesday’s terror attack was rented in Birmingham, according to the BBC’s Newsnight programme.
Earlier reports claimed the black Hyundai was registered in Chelmsford, Essex, in 2016.
A spokesman for the Hyundai dealership told EssexLive they could not comment due to the ongoing police investigation.
Shocking footage
WARNING: This video contains disturbing footage. It shows the shocking moment a woman fall into Thames during the Westminster terror attack.
Tory MP James Cleverly
Tory MP James Cleverly has said he is “heartbroken” over PC Palmer’s death.
He tweeted: “I’ve known Keith for 25 years. We served together in the Royal Artillery before he became a copper. A lovely man, a friend. I’m heartbroken.”
He later added: “My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of PC Keith Palmer. A brave man.”
Acting Met Commissioner 'treated as "significant witness"'
Craig Mackay, acting Met Commissioner, is thought to have been with the three officers who were hit on the bridge.
The group were returning from a commendation ceremony at the time of the attack.
Mr Mackay is reportedly being treated as “a significant witness”.
Summary of the latest news
*The death toll has now risen to five following a terrorist attack at Westminster.
*An unarmed police officers stabbed by the suspected attacker while guarding Parliament has been named as by police as PC Keith Palmer.
*Mr Palmer, 48, is a married dad with 15 years’ service.
*Police say another 40 people were injured in the attack, which they believe to have been “inspired by international terrorism”.
*Three police officers have been injured, two are in a serious condition.
*Scotland Yard’s top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley said hundreds of officers will work through the night on the case.
*Forensics teams will be scouring an ‘extremely wide area’ and scouring CCTV as part of the investigation.
Pc Keith Palmer
He was 48, a husband & dad. Scotland Yard say three people attacked on the bridge died.
Police officer named as PC Keith Palmer
The tragic police officer has been named by police as PC Keith Palmer.
The 48-year-old is a married dad with 15 years’ service.
In a press conference tonight, Mr Rowley said hundreds of police officers are working on the case.
Five now confirmed dead
Scotland Yard’s top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley confirms that five people have died and about 40 people were injured in the attack, including three police officers.
Police officer was not armed
The police officer who was stabbed outside the Houses of Parliament was not armed at the time of the attack.The Metropolitan Police have clarified this point following an earlier press statement.
Queen's visit cancelled
The Queen’s visit to New Scotland Yard has been postponed, Buckingham Palace has announced.Her Majesty had been due to visit the force’s new headquarters tomorrow.
In a statement to Sky News, Buckingham Palace said: “In light of today’s events the decision has been taken to postpone The Queen’s engagement to New Scotland Yard tomorrow.”
COBRA meeting chaired
Prime Minister Theresa May chaired a meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee earlier tonight.Senior ministers and police discussed the immediate response to the bloody incident at the Palace of Westminster during the 45-minute meeting.Flags will be lowered to half mast over Downing Street as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives.
University students
Four university students from the North West were injured during the attack on Westminster Bridge.Owen Lambert, from Morecambe, and Travis Frain, from Darwen, were among a group of 13 students and a lecturer from Edge Hill University visiting the capital at the time.The students had just left Parliament as part of an educational visit to the Houses of Parliament and were walking down Westminster Bridge after watching Prime Minister’s Questions.
Owen, 18, needed stitches to a head wound after the attack.
Dr John Cater, Vice Chancellor of Edge Hill University, told BBC North West Tonight that two students were taken to hospital as walking wounded.
“There are two other students who have minor injuries who are with police and acting as witnesses.”Our assumption is that they were either knocked over by other people or struck by the vehicle.”
Attackers are 'doomed to failure'
Prime Minister Theresa May has spoken for the first time since today’s ‘sick and depraved’ terrorist attack.She said the people of Britain will never allow ‘the voices of evil and hate to drive us apart’.
Mrs May said anyone who attempts to defeat British values through terror is ‘doomed to failure’.
Mrs May said her thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected, the victims and their families and friends who ‘waved their loved ones off but will not now be welcoming them home’.She praised the ‘exceptional’ men and women who ran towards the danger ‘even as they encouraged others to move away’.”We want to pay tribute to them and the emergency services for all they have been doing,” she said.The PM said the location of today’s attack was ‘no accident’. “The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our city,” she said.
'Sick and depraved'
Theresa May described the Westminster attacks as “sick and depraved” in a statement tonight.
Eiffel Tower
The lights on the Eiffel Tower will be switched off at midnight tonight as a gesture of solidarity from the French people.
Eyewitness
One Government worker saw the drama unfolding from offices at Whitehall.
She told the M.E.N: “I heard nothing but the sirens racing down Whitehall. When I went out to take a look I saw the police on motorbikes racing through the traffic. There are still sirens going off now and helicopters circling the area. We’re on lockdown so we’ve been told not to leave the office. It’s quite scary.”
Network Rail have advised people due to travel down to London today to check for delays before travelling.
A Network Roil spokesman said: “Our advice to anyone travelling down to the capital would be to check with your train operator or with National Rail before travelling.”
Flights to London from Manchester Airport have not been affected by today’s events.
There are several flights due to leave for the capital today which are scheduled to go ahead as normal.
Social media response
People are using the hashtags #PrayForLondon and #WeAreNotAfraid, to show solidarity with Londoners caught up in today’s attack.
MPs have now left the chamber
After almost five hours MPs have been allowed to leave the Commons chamber.Around 1,000 people who were taking shelter in Westminster Abbey have also been allowed to leave the area.
Hundreds of people are currently streaming away from Westminster after today’s terror attack.
Statement from Sadiq Khan
Extra armed police will be on the streets of London following the attack in Westminster.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has vowed that “Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism”.
He stressed that London remained one of the safest cities in the world and praised citizens and emergency services for the “tremendous bravery” they had shown.
He said: “Londoners should be aware that there will be additional armed and unarmed police officers on our streets from tonight in order to keep Londoners and all those visiting our city safe.”He added: “Tragically, a Metropolitan Police officer who was doing his duty protecting our city is amongst those who have been killed - and my thoughts are with his family this evening.”
Suspect 'armed with two large knives'
The suspect was allegedly armed with two large knives when he was shot by police.
The blades were pictured lying on the ground as the man was transported to hospital.
It is believed at least one of the weapons was used to stab to death the police officer.
Statement from Jeremy Corbyn
Today’s horrific attack in Westminster has shocked the whole country. All our thoughts are with the victims of this outrage, their loved ones, families and friends.
“Those victims include civilians and police officers, Londoners and visitors, subjected to a brutal and indiscriminate assault.
“Our thanks and gratitude go to the police and emergency services who responded so bravely, and to those – including the MP Tobias Ellwood – who went to the aid of the injured and dying.
“This was not only an attack on innocent people. It was also an attack on our democracy.
“But I know that Londoners and people across the country will stand together in defence of our values and diversity.”
Schoolchildren reportedly sang hymns
Schoolchildren locked in Parliament broke into singing Easter hymns as they were trapped with hundreds of others after today’s terror attack.
Staff and visitors in grand Central Lobby were serenaded by the group from St John & St Francis Church School in Bridgwater, Somerset.
The school was one of 13 scheduled to visit Parliament on the day of the attack - which happened while some children were just a few yards away.
Police officer who lost their life
Home Affairs Select Committee Chair Yvette Cooper MP and conservative committee member Tim Loughton MP said;
“Every one of us will want to pay tribute to the incredible courage and professionalism of the brave police officer who has lost his life today and given everything to protect others. All our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues now in the face of this terrible attack. “Police officers do an incredible job every single day, never knowing what risks they will face, facing danger so others can get away. We owe them our safety and our gratitude. “The police, security, emergency services and the Government need our continued support as they work immensely hard to deal with this vile attack, to care for those who have been hurt, and apprehend those responsible. They prepare and plan together for awful events like this and they have done an amazing job preventing many other such incidents over many years. They are responding with great professionalism, courage and skill now. “Everyone’s thoughts will be with all those who have been hurt and their families. “Terrorists try to divide us, and spread hatred, terror and fear. But we will not let them succeed. The messages of solidarity with those who have been hurt, and with our emergency services from communities across the country show the determination we have never to let terrorists win.”
Official statement from No.10
“The thoughts of the PM and the Government are with those killed and injured in this appalling incident, and with their families.”
“The PM is being kept updated and will shortly chair COBR.”
England football team to pay respects to victims
England football team plan to pay their respects to the victims of the suspected terror attack, FA Chairman Greg Clarke has confirmed.
He said: “Our thoughts are with all of those who have been affected by this terrible incident.
“We will be recognising the bravery of the security services and all those involved at the England v Lithuania match on Sunday.”
Mirror chief reporter
Andy Lines says he has spoken to TV anchors who say they may have previously interviewed the suspect on College Green.
Some of the TV anchors down here at #Westminster believe they interviewed the killer in the past on College Green.
— Andy Lines (@andylines) March 22, 2017
Two more people are in 'critical condition'
Two people caught up in the London terror attack are in a ‘critical condition’ in hospital, the BBC reports.
Six males and two females were taken to King’s College Hospital after the incident this afternoon.
Two people are said to be in a critical condition while the other six are seriously ill.
