Press release

Home Secretary statement: Westminster attack

Home Secretary Amber Rudd has given the following statement in reaction to the Westminster attack.

Home Office

She said:

We do not yet know the full impact of this terrible incident. But I know that the whole country will be thinking and praying for those who are affected, as I am.

I want to thank the emergency services for the quick response and pay tribute to their bravery, their courage and their professionalism.

I have been briefed by the Met Police and by the security services and the Security Minister has also been updated. This is an ongoing incident and the government will continue to be updated.

The Prime Minister will chair COBR today.

The government’s top priority is the security of its people and I urge everyone to remain calm but to be vigilant and if they see anything they are concerned about they should report it to the police.

We have the best police, the best security services in the world and we must make sure that we let them get on with doing their job.

The British people will be united in working together to defeat those who would harm our shared values.

Values of democracy, tolerance and the rule of law. Values symbolised by the Houses of Parliament. Values that will never be destroyed.

Published 22 March 2017