In the aftermath of the attack on Westminster yesterday, which saw a policeman murdered while defending Parliament, three members of the public also killed, and dozens injured on Westminster Bridge, Theresa Villiers MP has released the following statement.
“Yesterday was the day we all hoped would not happen. I know from my time in Government that responding to an atrocity of this kind is something for which the police and emergency services have been preparing for years. I feel a deep sense of sympathy for the relatives of those who died yesterday, especially the family of PC Keith Palmer who gave his life to protect MPs and their staff. My experience working with victims of terrorism while I was Northern Ireland Secretary makes me appreciate that long after the media focus has moved on, the pain and suffering that results from events like these can last for decades for the families affected.”
“Were it not for the heroic action of PC Keith Palmer and firearms officers, the loss of life could have been much more severe. We are all very lucky in this country that our outstanding police and intelligence services manage to stop so many terrorist plots, but tragically it is never going to be possible to prevent them all.”
“Today we go on with the business of democracy. The savage killing of Jo Cox did not cause us to retreat from public contact, and nor will yesterday’s horror. We will not be intimidated by people intent on attacking our democracy and our way of life. This Parliament has served the nation for hundreds of years and it will continue to do so. As the Prime Minister said in her very moving statement to Parliament: ‘We are not afraid’.”
The House of Commons was in lockdown from mid-afternoon until early evening yesterday as the police dealt with the attack and its aftermath. Theresa was walking between her office in Portcullis House and the Chamber to vote when these events took place in New Palace Yard. She heard shouting behind her as she left New Palace Yard and entered the Palace of Westminster, but it was only when Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle suspended the sitting a few minutes later that the severity of the situation became apparent.
On Thursday, Theresa wrote an article for the Guardian setting out some of her thoughts on the attack: 'We MPs will not be intimidated by this. The business of democracy will go on.'