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A man has been held at at the Carriage Gates entrance to Parliament.

Armed police were said to have rushed to the scene, just feet from where PC Keith Palmer was killed in 2017 by a knife wielding terrorist.

A Commons source said: “There was a commotion at the gates.

"All the police ran towards the gates and pounced on someone."

Police vehicles with blue lights could be seen outside the Palace of Westminster as security teams ordered an immediate lockdown.

Nearby New Palace Yard was packed with ministerial limousines, as MPs had been voting on a series of key Budget motions.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Ministerial bodyguards were also on the scene as police at the gates dealt with the suspect.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "At around 19.20hrs on Tuesday, 8 January, a man was arrested on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site as he tried to gain entry to the Palace of Westminster via Carriage Gates.

"He has been taken to a police station. No officers were injured."

Parliament is already on high alert after protesters on nearby College Green shouted abuse at MPs including Tory Anna Soubry.

Some 144 MPs have written to Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, demanding action against the "vile" taunts aimed at them in the grounds of Westminster.

There is no indication the two incidents are related.

A UK Parliament spokesperson said “We are aware of a police situation at Carriage Gates this evening. We are unable to provide any further details.”