London attacker was British-born, known to intelligence services

Britain’s parliament reopened on Thursday with a minute’s silence in memory of three victims killed in a suspected 'Islamist-related' attack on the symbol of the country’s democracy.

British prime minister Theresa May told parliament on March 23, 2017, a day after the deadly attack on the parliament house which killed three civilians, that the assailant was British-born and known to MI5 intelligence officers. AFPShow less

LONDON // The man who killed three people when he launched an attack on the British parliament was born in the UK and known to its intelligence services, prime minister Theresa May said on Thursday.

Parliament was back in session on Thursday with a minute’s silence in memory of three killed in a suspected “Islamist-related” attack.

“We are not afraid and our resolve will never waver in the face of terrorism,” said Mrs May.

“What I can confirm is that the man was British-born and that some years ago he was once investigated by MI5 in relation to concerns about violent extremism,” she told parliament.

“He was a peripheral figure,” she said. “The case is historic, he was not part of the current intelligence picture.”

She said there had been no intelligence of his intent nor of the plot.

“When operational considerations allow, he will be publicly identified,” she said.

With MPs projecting an air of “business as usual”, armed police arrested eight people in raids linked to Wednesday’s assault.

About 30 people were treated in hospital, including seven in critical condition, some with “catastrophic” injuries after the attacker mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before stabbing a policeman at the parliament gates.

As MPs resumed business, police officers lined up outside their Scotland Yard headquarters nearby for a minute’s silence in front of an eternal flame to those officers who have given their lives in service.

The attack in London came a year to the day after ISIL extremists killed 32 people in twin bomb attacks in Brussels.

In June last year, opposition Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered by a British right-wing terrorist in her northern England constituency.

Police have arrested eight people in the investigation into the lone attacker who killed three people including a policeman and injured 40 before being shot dead as he tried to enter parliament.

Britain’s most senior anti-terrorism officer, Mark Rowley, said police had raided six houses in London, the central city of Birmingham and elsewhere.

“It is still our belief ... that this attacker acted alone yesterday and was inspired by international terrorism,” he said.

Mr Rowley acknowledged Muslim communities “will feel anxious at this time” because of extreme right-wing attacks and that the police would work with community leaders to ensure protection.

Andrew Parker, director general of the MI5 domestic intelligence service, said his agency’s operational response had been fully mobilised in support of the police.

* Reuters and Agence France-Presse