Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, who battled to save the life of a police officer in the Westminster terror attack, has been appointed to the Privy Council alongside security minister Ben Wallace, in recognition of their roles in responding to the atrocity, Downing Street has announced.

No 10 said the Queen was "pleased" to approve the appointment of the two MPs to the council. The honour means Mr Ellwood and Mr Wallace will be entitled to be referred to as 'Right Honourable' and will be briefed on top-secret national security affairs.

Mr Ellwood, a foreign office minister who served in the British Army and reached the rank of captain, reportedly attempted to perform mouth-to-mouth on 48-year-old PC Keith Palmer as he lay bleeding from stab wounds.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood stands amongst the emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament (PA wire)

The MP for Bournemouth East, whose brother died in Bali bombings of 2002, said he headed towards the incident “as soon as” he realised what was going on, but that despite extensive efforts by him and others to save the officer, his blood loss left little chance of survival.

The officer was fatally stabbed outside Parliament following a murderous rampage across Westminster Bridge, during which the attacker mounted the pavement and ploughed his car into pedestrians, killing four and injuring at least 50 others.

Images of the chaotic scenes outside Westminster Palace appeared to show Mr Ellwood pumping the officer's chest then standing above him, his hands and face smeared with blood.

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 privy council is mainly composed of senior politicians, although it also includes judges and bishops, and has advised the monarch since the Norman era.