THE NUS's chief has provoked anger because she did not mention the policeman who died during this week's Westminster terror attack in the student body's statement.

While Malia Bouattia sent her "thoughts and prayers" to the victims of the horrific attack on Wednesday, she made no mention of PC Keith Palmer.

4 An NUS statement issued by Malia Bouattia was met with anger in some quarters Credit: Alamy

4 Bouattia added that border controls should not be tightened in light of the attack Credit: PA:Press Association

The policeman died stopping killer Khalid Masood entering the Houses of Parliament with a knife.

Bouattia's statement read: "I also want to extend our solidarity to the many Muslims and migrants who at this time will be especially fearful of racism and abuse.

"We must stand firm against all attempts to stoke up Islamophobia or intolerance against migrants of any nationality, especially at a time of increased hate crime against many communities across society.

most read in news SHORT SHARP LOCK Pubs & restaurants could shut completely within days in two-week lockdown HOLIDAY TRAGEDY Mum, 33, found dead on holiday from alcohol poisoning after 'drink session' Exclusive HERO SWEDE How ice cool scientist saved Sweden from Covid WITHOUT lockdown Latest ON THE BRINK England faces lockdown in days as cases double and Nightingale ward on standby WATCH OUT 18 new places on coronavirus watch list revealed – with 2 areas added this week CORONA CURBS Boris Johnson says Covid second wave is ‘inevitable’ as country faces lockdown

"Similarly, we must also continue to oppose attempts to utilise such events to undermine civil liberties, extend surveillance or to tighten border controls."

One former British soldier was left furious by the statement.

Colonel Richard Kemp told Mail Online: "This statement could easily be a parody.

"Instead of any acknowledgement of the police officers who ended the jihadist rampage that otherwise could have killed or wounded more students, Malia Bouattia predictably uses this horrific event to attack the government's counter-terrorist strategy.

4 Khalid Masood killed four in a car and knife attack on Westminster on Wednesday

4 The statement did not specifically mentioned PC Keith Palmer, who was killed stopping the attacker on Wednesday Credit: ITV

"The very strategy that seeks to prevent such atrocities. She prefers to pontificate about a non-existent 'Islamophobic' response than to condemn the attack itself."

Bouattia had opened the statement with the words: "My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of the horrific attack in Westminster, as well as their loved ones."

Four people were killed when Masood drove a hire car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

He later stabbed PC Palmer after trying to get into the House of Parliament before being shot dead by a bodyguard.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368