Channel 4 News claimed at the start of their programme at 7pm that Abu Izzadeen (above) was behind the shocking attack

Infamous Islamic hate preacher Abu Izzadeen was falsely named tonight as the Westminster terror attacker, despite him still being in prison.

Channel 4 News claimed at the start of their programme at 7pm that Izzadeen was behind the shocking attack this afternoon, but later admitted there was 'doubt' over whether this was the case.

Simon Israel, Channel 4's senior home affairs correspondent, told viewers halfway through tonight's show: 'It may be that we’re not as certain about identity of the attacker as we thought.'

This came after senior security sources and Izzadeen's lawyer denied he could be the attacker - because he is in prison.

The show ended with confirmation from Izzadeen's brother that he was still in jail.

A Channel 4 spokesman said after the programme: 'On tonight's Channel 4 News, senior home affairs correspondent Simon Israel quoted a source as saying that the name of the Westminster attacker was believed to be Abu Izzadeen, formerly known as Trevor Brooks. During the course of the programme, conflicting information came to light. Channel 4 News is currently looking into this.'

Izzadeen - also known as Trevor Brooks - is a former BT electrician and career criminal Izzadeen who converted to Islam aged 17.

He was jailed for two years in January 2016 for breaching the Terrorism Act by leaving the UK illegally. Izzadeen was radicalised by Omar Bakri Mohammed and Abu Hamza at Finsbury Park Mosque.

Simon Israel, Channel 4's senior home affairs correspondent, told viewers halfway through tonight's show: 'It may be that we’re not as certain about identity of the attacker as we thought'

Channel 4 News released a statement via their official Twitter account some hours later. In it they admitted to wrongly claiming the identity of the alleged Westminster attacker as Abu Izzadeen

He was found with friend and fellow extremist Simon Keller in Hungary on a train on its way to Bucharest, Romania, in November 2015 having been smuggled out of Britain in the back of a lorry via Dover.

The convicted terrorist was deported back to Britain and then jailed – where is still situation today.

Izzadeen gained notoriety a decade ago in 2006 after launching a furious tirade during a speech to Muslims by then Home Secretary John Reid.

In front of TV cameras, married father-of-three Izzadeen denounced Mr Reid as a 'tyrant' and an 'enemy of Islam' before being escorted out by security guards.

He also made inflammatory speeches at the Regent's Park mosque in London on November 9, 2004 - when US forces began their battle for Fallujah in Iraq.

Izzadeen denounced the fighting in speeches made inside the mosque and later, after a clash with the Muslim authorities, out on the street. They were part of the notorious extremist group Al-Muhajiroun.

He later urged a boycott of the Poppy Appeal, claiming anyone who wore a poppy to mark Remembrance Day ‘supported the murder of Muslims’.

Izzadeen - also known as Trevor Brooks - is a former BT electrician and career criminal Izzadeen who converted to Islam aged 17

In 2008, Izzadeen was jailed for four and a half years for terror-related offences.

The fluent Arabic speaker was sentenced to two and a half years for the offence of fundraising for terrorism and four and half years for inciting terrorism overseas, to be served concurrently.

But he was released in May the following year after his sentence was cut on appeal. He was later recalled to prison for breaking his release conditions, related to good behaviour.

Izzadeen was born in Hackney, East London, and has a Jamaican background. He was raised as a Christian but converted to Islam when he was 17.

He became a hard-liner after coming across the preachings at Finsbury Park mosque of radical cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed, also known as the 'Tottenham Ayatollah'.

An Asian man in his 40s, believed to be the attacker, is put on a stretcher and wheeled into an ambulance inside the grounds of Parliament with two knives (circled) left on the cobbles

Izzadeen eventually chose a new name, which means Might of the Faith in Arabic, and immersed himself in his new religion.

What do we know about the 4x4 in the attack? The vehicle driven into Parliament's gates this afternoon was a Hyundai Tucson worth between £19,000 and £32,700. The black diesel car was registered between September 2016 and February 2017 in Chelmsford, Essex. The car can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in as little as 9.5 seconds and the model has been made by the South Korean manufacturer since 2004. All cars registered in Essex are registered to Chelmsford, which is where the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's regional office is located. Hyundai cars are registered in Essex when they are imported into the Port of Tilbury - and it is thought the car could have been a rental vehicle. Advertisement

He has also been associated with Islamist firebrand Anjem Choudary. Like Choudary, he has lived off the state, claiming up to £1,000 a month in benefits while living in a council house in Leyton.

Despite marrying when he was 23, he later advertised on the internet for three more wives and said he wanted ‘more than nine children’.

The suspect in today's terror attack drove a year-old Hyundai Tucson - worth up to £32,700 and registered in the affluent Essex city of Chelmsford - down Westminster Bridge at 'high speed'.

The man - said to be Asian-looking and in his 40s - is believed to have been the only attacker but police locked down the area on a 'precautionary basis' tonight in case someone else was still at large.

Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said outside New Scotland Yard: 'We're satisfied at this stage that it looks like there was only one attacker, but it would be foolish to be overconfident so early on.

'So, for precautionary basis, we're locking down the area and doing all the necessary searches so we can be completely confident that everyone is safe.'

Terror incident: At least four people died this afternoon after the knifeman mowed down pedestrians then stabbed a policeman before he was shot by armed officers

At least four people were killed in the Westminster terror attack, including the police officer who was stabbed and his attacker.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror when gunfire rang out as the attacker 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 courtyard in front of Parliament. Two large knives could be seen at the scene.

Witnesses described seeing a heavy-set man carrying a knife. Jayne Wilkinson said: 'We were taking photos of Big Ben and we saw all the people running towards us.

'And then there was an Asian guy in about his 40s carrying a knife about seven or eight inches long.

The driver crashed into Parliament's railings this afternoon and then rushed the gates and stabbed a police officer in the head and the neck before he was shot by another officer

'And then there were three shots fired, and then we crossed the road and looked over. The man was on the floor with blood.

'He had a lightweight jacket on, dark trousers and a shirt. He was running through those gates, towards Parliament, and the police were chasing him.'

One pedestrian hit by the attacker's car before he reached Parliament was confirmed dead by a doctor, while others suffered 'catastrophic injuries'.

At least one of those being treated in the palace courtyard was wheeled away on a stretcher with their face covered.

Another woman who apparently jumped into the Thames as the attacker drove across the bridge was rescued and given urgent medical treatment on a pier.

London Ambulance Service said paramedics had treated at least ten patients on the bridge. French school children were among those targeted.

At least four people died this afternoon after the knifeman mowed down pedestrians, crashed into Parliament's gates (above) then stabbed a policeman before he was shot by armed officers

Prime Minister Theresa May, who was ushered away from Parliament after the attack, will chair a meeting of the Government's Cobra committee.

MPs were locked in the House of Commons for more than two hours and business was suspended after the attack, which happened at about 2.40pm.

Earlier, there were claims that a 'bald white man' and a 'black man with goatee beard' had been seen, following initial earlier reports that only the Asian man was involved.

But Britain's most senior anti-terror officer Mr Rowley later dismissed these claims, saying it was believed that only one suspect was involved in the attack.

Essex Police Acting Assistant Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: 'In Essex tonight, and until further notice, there will be increased visible police patrol including additional armed officers and other specialist resources.

'I urge the public to be alert but not alarmed. Police forces and our partners are doing everything we can to help protect the security of our citizens, public institutions, critical national infrastructure, and businesses and places.'