The Westminster terror attacker was “not a proper Muslim”, his former landlady has claimed.

Cassie Havard also said Khalid Masood, who was born Adrian Elms, “s****** prostitutes”, smoked crack cocaine and “stuck knives in people’s faces” while living in East Sussex.

The Metropolitan Police have said the 52-year-old “acted alone” when he killed four people and injured around 50 others during an 82-second attack on Westminster Bridge and outside the Palace of Westminster.

Masood, who had previous convictions for criminal damage and possession of a knife dating back to 1983, is believed to have converted to Islam during his second spell in jail in around 2003.

“He wasn’t a proper Muslim,” said Ms Havard, as quoted by The Sun.

“He s****** prostitutes, smoked copious amounts of crack and stuck knives in people’s faces. He was a madman. After one four-day crack session, one druggie pal got paranoid and accused him of being an undercover cop.

“Adrian went absolutely wild and ran to the kitchen to grab the biggest knife he could find. He went back in the room and slashed the guy’s face to pieces. It was horrific, but he always had that darker side about him.”

In pictures: Westminster attack Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Westminster attack In pictures: Westminster attack An air ambulance lands after gunfire sounds were heard close to the Palace of Westminster in London PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack MPs wait until the situation is under control in Westminster. 'The alleged assailant was shot by armed police,' David Lidington, leader of the House of Commons, told the house. BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Crowds gather in Westminster after shooting incident, which police are treating as terror attack BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Police were also called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby AP In pictures: Westminster attack Early reports indicate the car, which mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge and mowed into around a dozen people, was the same vehicle which then rammed into the railings of the Palace of Westminster, just around the corner Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack Security sources described the suspected assailant as a middle-aged Asian man, who is understood to have left the car before attacking a police officer with a seven-to-eight inch knife PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack Police have asked people to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident AP In pictures: Westminster attack One woman has died and a number of others, including the police officer, have been hurt, according to a junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack At least three gun shots were heard by those inside Westminster, and proceedings in the House of Commons have been suspended AP

The 43-year-old said Masood’s friends kicked him out of the accommodation.

Another friend reportedly said he took cocaine, ecstasy and LSD.

Another said he stole boats and sold fraudulent fishing licences in France.

Investigations are continuing into the circumstances leading up to the attack.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.