Westminster terror shooting: Four dead including a police officer

Four people have died including a police officer and 20 others injured after a terrorist incident at the Houses of Parliament.

The attacker was shot at least three times by police inside the parliamentary estate in Westminster after stabbing up to police officers, one of whom later died from his wounds. 

Three others have also died on Westminster Bridge and many more injured after being mown down by a 4x4 vehicle which sped across Westminster Bridge, mounting the pavement and hitting several people before ploughing into the gates of the Palace of Westminster. A man then jumped out the car with a large knife and stabbed a police officer before being shot. 

Police have said they are treating it as a terrorist incident until they know otherwise.

Emergency services have secured the area after the Prime Minister, who was in a voting lobby when the incident was reported, was ushered away by a plains clothing police officer.

The Prime Ministerial car was later seen driving quickly away from the Palace.

Police are going through the Palace of Westminster floor by floor to ensure it is safe. 

Jonathon Reynolds, Labour's shadow treasury secretary and head of Christians on the Left, confirmed he was safe and told Christian Today: 'Whole area on lockdown. People in the offices, inside the Chamber.'

He added: 'The situation on the bridge looks bad. Quite a few hurt.' 

The Church of England has called for people to pray for those affected.

Kevin Schofield, reporter for Politics Home, said he saw a man approaching a police with a knife inside the grounds of the Palace of Westminser before there were 'several rounds of gunfire'.  He told Sky News he heard a 'bang like a car crash' with reports suggesting a man ran through a security barrier with a knife in his hands. 

MPs and staff have been to remain in their offices in the Palace of Westminster. The House of Commons sitting has been suspended and MPs told to stay where they were.  Cobra, a gathering of senior security officials including the Prime Minister, will meet tonight.

Westminster underground station has been shut after a request for the police. Labour shadow leader of the House said MPs 'thoughts and prayers' are with those concerned.

 Jonathon Reynolds, Labour's shadow economic secretary and chair of Christians on the Left, tweeted: 

The Bishop of Birmingham tweeted: