THE British-born lone wolf extremist who launched a deadly attack on Parliament was shot dead by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon's security guard, it has emerged.

Theresa May admitted there was no prior intelligence of the deadly attack at Parliament, which has now been claimed by ISIS, with the PM revealing MI5 intelligence chiefs had previously investigated 52-year-old Khalid Masood but dismissed him as a "peripheral figure".

54 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 Credit: PA:Press Association

54 Armed cops outside a flat in Birmingham raided last night as cops stormed six properties across the UK Credit: Caters News Agency

The murderous rampage was only stopped when the Defence Minister's protection officer drew his gun, shooting the extremist up to three times.

Officials have now said the lone wolf maniac was inspired by "Islamic terrorism" and had been investigated for violent extremism by MI5 before he mowed down crowds on Westminster Bridge and stabbed cop Keith Palmer to death outside Parliament.

Theresa May told Parliament this morning: "What I can confirm is the man was British-born and that some years ago he was once investigated by MI5 in relation to concerns about violent extremism."

54 A photograph shows police arresting an individual after carrying out raids last night Credit: Caters News Agency

54 Hundreds of cops have been drafted in the aftermath of the Westminster attack with six properties raided - including this Birmingham flat Credit: Caters News Agency

54 This morning Mark Rowley, the national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing, said seven people have been arrested - later revising the figure to eight Credit: Caters News Agency

54 Police swooped on areas around Hagley Road in Birmingham in raids Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

#ISIS' 'Amaq published its report on #Londonattack in both Arabic and English pic.twitter.com/q6q7zlZb99 — SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) March 23, 2017

She said he was a "peripheral" figure, adding: "The case is historic.

"He is not part of the current intelligence picture. There was no prior intelligence of his intent or the plot."

She confirmed that his identity would be made public in due time.

ISIS has now claimed responsibility for the attack, publishing a statement and claiming the attacker as a "soldier of the Islamic State".

While vowing that Britain would not be cowed by the attack, the PM said that as a precautionary measure, the number of armed police patrols across the country would be rolled out.

Met with vocal support from other members of parliament, she said: "Yesterday we saw the worst of humanity, but we will remember the best."

But she said that with no new intelligence to suggest another attack, the threat level to the UK would remain unchanged at "severe".

The details come after American tourist Kurt Cochran was named as the third victim of the horrific Westminster attack.

The revelations come after cops arrested eight people in raids on six different addresses across London and Birmingham in connection with yesterday's bloody attack.

Mark Rowley, national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing and Met Acting Deputy Commissioner corrected earlier figures saying three innocent victims - Pc Palmer, a woman in her mid 40s and a man in his mid 50s - were killed along with the attacker who was shot by cops.

The female victim was mum-of-two Aysha Frade, who is believed to have been picking up her children from school when she was killed in the horrific attack.



54 Police were on their hands and knees searching the area for clues Credit: EPA

54 Hundreds of detectives worked through the night after a maniac drove through crowds on Westminster Bridge before stabbing a heroic cop Credit: Caters News Agency

54 Mark Rowley, national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing and Met Acting Deputy Commissioner gives a press conference this morning Credit: Reuters

54 Prime Minister Theresa May revealed that the terrorist involved in yesterday's attack was British-born and had previously been known to MI5 Credit: Getty Images

Mr Rowley said 29 people are being treated in hospital, with seven in a critical condition.

Twelve Brits were injured, with police officers reportedly among those hurt, while nationals from France, Romania, China and America were also hurt.

Today detectives and forensic teams continue to work in Westminster removing evidence from the scene of the atrocity.

Flags across the capital have been flying at half mast, with a minute's silence held at 9.33am.

London's Mayor Sadiq Khan announced a candlelit vigil will be held in Trafalgar Square at 6pm as he defiantly said "Londoners will not cower".

The Queen has also released a statement, saying: "My thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathy are with all those who have been affected by yesterday's awful violence.

"I know I speak for everyone in expressing my enduring thanks and admiration for the members of the Metropolitan Police Service and all who work so selflessly to help and protect others."

54 Forensic teams carry bags of evidence from Westminster Bridge where a maniac ploughed into crowds yesterday Credit: London News Pictures

54 Police officers in forensics suits search the grass on Parliament Square gardens outside the Houses of Parliament on Thursday morning Credit: Getty Images

54 Hundreds of detectives worked through the night after the attack which claimed the lives of three innocent victims Credit: London News Pictures

54 Police direct pedestrians around the cordon in Westminster this morning following yesterday's attack Credit: AP:Associated Press

54 Roads have been blocked off around Westminster Bridge after the Wednesday attack Credit: Getty Images

54 Police presence at Hagley Road, where moments before an armed counter terrorism team raided one of the flats. A neighbour, left, is seen assisting officers Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

The Met’s SO15 counter-terrorist command have said they believe they know the identity of the terrorist fanatic.

Mr Rowley last night said: “It is still our belief - which continues to be born out by our investigation - that this attacker acted alone yesterday and was inspired by international terrorism.

“To be explicit - at this stage, we have no specific information about further threats to the public.

“Clearly our investigation is ongoing - developing all the time - and is focused on his motivation, his preparation and associates."

Mr Rowley also reminded the public to be vigilant and report anything that causes concern or raises suspicions to police.

54 A picture taken through the front door of an address at Hagley Road during the raid Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

54 Police outside a flat in Birmingham this morning as the Met confirm seven arrests have been made following six raids across the UK, later saying eight arrests had now been made Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

54 An officer enters the property on Hagley Road in the south west of Birmingham Credit: © ANDREW PRICE/View Finder Pict

54 The rear of the Birmingham flat raided by armed police last night Credit: Caters News Agency

54 The rear of the property on Hagley Road in Birmingham which was raided by counter terrorism police officers late on Wednesday evening

54 Theresa May has urged the people of Britain to stand strong, together Credit: Getty Images

Neighbours recounted the dramatic moments police swooped in to search the Birmingham flat last night, with the homes near the car rental where the vehicle involved in the rampage had been hired from.

Dozens of officers equipped with machine guns were seen smashing their way into the flat just before midnight, with one witness saying that the man involved in the attack had lived there.

He said he saw three men arrested.

Stuart Bailey, who lives four doors down, said: "There were a load of armed police in the street and on the pavement and I could see three or four in front of me.

"They were all dressed in black and armed with what looked like MP5s (submachine guns) and one of them had six ammunition magazines strapped to his leg."

Police were still swarming at the site on Thursday morning, with one of the windows of the flat covered with cardboard. 54

54 Inside the Birmingham flat, located in the south west of the city, which was raided by cops

54 A cordon is blocking off an area of Hagley Road Credit: Twitter

54 Armed police outside Parliament with all roads approaching from Millbank cordoned off Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

54 More armed police are expected to descend on streets across the UK Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

54 Floral tributes are left to the victim's of yesterday's attack at the security cordon close to Westminster Abbey Credit: Getty Images

54 Flowers are laid outside New Scotland Yard after Pc Keith Palmer was killed in the Westminster attack Credit: EPA

54 A police officer is given a floral tribute by a member of the public to lay as a tribute to PC Keith Palmer Credit: Getty Images

54 MP Tobias Ellwood, who tried to save the police officer's life, sits in Parliament on Thursday morning Credit: Reuters

54 The Enterprise car rental shop on the Stratford Road in Solihull where the car involved in the attack is believed to have been rented from Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

A large cordon blocked off an area in Hagley Road in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham in the early hours of Thursday,

Pictures from inside the flat, which has six bedrooms, have also emerged.

One of the flat's windows was covered in cardboard, with non-uniformed officers spotted taking pieces of equipment into the property.

The car used to carry out the slaughter – on the anniversary of the Brussels airport attack - was hired last Thursday in Birmingham, according to Newsnight.

Car hire firm Enterprise has confirmed that one of their cars had been rented out and used in the attack, saying in a statement: "We can confirm that the car used in the tragic attack in London yesterday afternoon was one of ours.

"An employee identified the vehicle after seeing the licence plate in an image online. We ran another check to verify, and immediately contacted the authorities.

"We are co-operating fully with the authorities and will provide any assistance that we can to the investigation.

"Our thoughts are very much with the victims of this terrible tragedy."

Those injured in the Westminster Bridge attack Theresa May has confirmed 29 people were hurt when the speeding car smashed into crowds on Westminster Bridge. Nine remain in a critical condition. The nationalities of those injured have been released, including: Twelve Brits Three French children Two Romanians Four South Koreans One German One Pole One Irish One Chinese One Italian One American Two Greeks

54 Cops raided the flat, and took several people into custody, according to reports

54 Police advised concerned locals to avoid the area during the raid Credit: Twitter

54 An officer approaches the property on Hagley Road Credit: © ANDREW PRICE/View Finder Pict

54 Cops have flooded the streets while tributes flow in for their slain colleague PC Palmer Credit: Getty Images

Last night Theresa May held an emergency COBRA meeting following the attack, which she called "sick and depraved".

In a statement from Downing Street, the Prime Minister said: "Any attempt to defeat those values through violence and terror is doomed to failure.

"Parliament will meet as normal.

"We will come together as normal.

"And Londoners - and others from around the world who have come here to visit this great city - will get up and go about their day as normal.

"They will board their trains, they will leave their hotels, they will walk these streets, they will live their lives.

"And we will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart."

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Incoming Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick has praised the bravery of officers involved in yesterday's attack.

In a message to staff she said: "One of our officers died protecting the public and Parliament. We will never forget his courage.

"My deepest sympathy is with his family and with the loved ones of everyone who lost their lives.

"My thoughts too are with the members of the public and our officers who were injured as well as those people affected by these appalling events.

"As many Parliamentarians have noted, our officers ran towards danger to do their jobs. We are indebted to their bravery.

"Officers and staff from the Metropolitan Police are working as hard as we can to protect the public and our capital city.

"I am grateful for all their efforts."

TIMELINE OF TERROR

Lone wolf attacker mowed down crowds of pedestrians in 4x4 on Westminster Bridge

He then crashed into gate outside Parliament before stabbing policeman PC Keith Palmer, 48, to death

Armed cops put Westminster on lockdown as attack brought London to a standstill yesterday afternoon

Four people died - including the attacker who was shot by police - and 29 are injured, including seven critical

Eight people arrested today after six raids at addresses in London, Birmingham and elsewhere

Cops believe they know the identity of the suspect who was inspired by Islamic terrorism

The Hyundai used to carry out the attack was hired last Thursday in Birmingham, according to Newsnight

Hero MP Tobias Ellwood attempted to revive PC Palmer but husband and father could not be saved

Theresa May condemned attack as 'sick and depraved' before holding emergency Cobra meeting

MPs were locked in House of Commons for five hours

PC Palmer, a member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Squad and former Bombardier in the Royal Artillery Army Reserve between '87-'01 , was killed as he tried to stop the attacker at about 2.30pm on Wednesday, while two members of the public were also fatally injured.

Pictures of a man believed to be the suspect have emerged showing two blades lying on the cobbled street next to him.

Paramedics were seen tending to the attacker as armed cops trained their rifles on his stripped body outside Parliament.

Dramatic pictures showed the bloodied bodies of victims littering Westminster bridge as heroic bystanders desperately worked to save the lives of those "catastrophically" injured.

54 Conservative MP James Cleverly after paying an emotional tribute to his friend Pc Keith Palmer Credit: PA:Press Association

54 PC Keith Palmer, who was a fan of Charlton Athletic FC, had a scarf put out in his honour by the club Credit: PA:Press Association

Among them were MP Tobias Ellwood who gave PC Palmer mouth-to-mouth. Ellwood's brother was killed in the Bali bombings in 2002.

Speaking in parliament this morning, Tory MP James Cleverly, who had known PC Palmer for 25 years, called on the officer to be honoured with a posthumous award.

Nearly in tears, the MP said that his friend was a "strong, professional public servant".

Theresa May agreed, saying that full consideration would be given to award the 48-year-old, having previously described him as "every inch a hero".

54 Flags have been flying at half-mast in recognition of the attack Credit: AP:Associated Press

54 The officer stands guard at the house in Birmingham as police announce a total of six properties were raided Credit: © ANDREW PRICE/View Finder Pict

54 There is nothing to connect the raid to the attack in London, but residents are concerned Credit: © ANDREW PRICE/View Finder Pict

54 Armed cops draw their guns on a suspected attacker after a knifeman went on a rampage mowing down pedestrians, injuring at least 40 Credit: PA:Press Association

54 PC Keith Palmer who was stabbed to death by a suspected terrorist outside the Palace of Westminster Credit: Metropolitan Police

54 A man - thought to be the terrorist behind yesterday's attack - is wheeled onto an ambulance Credit: PA:Press Association

54 MP Tobias Ellwood gives CPR to a police officer stabbed outside Parliament Credit: PA:Press Association

The knifeman drove a grey Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge before crashing it into railings, then running through the gates of the Palace of Westminster.

His attack left a trail of destruction as paramedics and heroic bystanders tended to victims on the bridge and at the gate.

One woman hit by the attacker's car before he reached Parliament was confirmed dead by a doctor at St Thomas' Hospital.

Others on the bridge suffered "catastrophic injuries".

54 The car used by the attacker was reportedly rented in Birmingham Credit: © ANDREW PRICE/View Finder Pict

54 It came after Theresa May held an emergency COBRA meeting following the attack in London Credit: AP:Associated Press

54 Witnesses rushed to help a victim with reports that a car mowed down a number of people on Westminster Bridge before crashing into the gate outside Parliament Credit: Reuters

54 A body was seen on Westminster Bridge with police confirming they are treating the incident as a terror attack Credit: Reuters

Another woman who fell into the Thames was rescued and given urgent medical treatment on a nearby pier.

A party of French schoolchildren were among those targeted on the bridge, while four students from Edge Hill University in Ormskirk were also hurt - two described as "walking wounded", and others said to have minor injuries.

54 The vehicle - pictured here outside Parliament - was reportedly rented in Birmingham last week Credit: Luke Steele / Twitter

54 A man is treated by paramedics at the scene Credit: Getty Images

54 One woman is tended to by paramedics and cops after being injured on Westminster Bridge Credit: Getty Images

ISIS supporters celebrated the horror on social media, dubbing it "revenge" for UK strikes in Mosul.

Those celebrating the attack, which had similarities with atrocities in Nice and Berlin, yesterday called it "blood for blood".

The attack came on the first anniversary of the Brussels airport bombings.

The Muslim Council of Britain said: "We are shocked and saddened by the incident at Westminster. We condemn this attack and while it is still too early to speculate on the motives, our thoughts and prayers are for the victims and those affected."

54 Armed police swarm the area in Westminster after a man was shot following a terror attack Credit: EPA

54 Cops gather outside Parliament after the attacker mowed pedestrians down Credit: EPA

London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “London is the greatest city in the world and we stand together in the face of those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life.

"Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism."

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: "I want to thank the emergency services for the quick response and pay tribute to their bravery, courage and professionalism.

"We have the best police, the best security services in the world and we must 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."