Commons Leader Tells MPs That A Police Officer Has Been Stabbed Outside Parliament

Commons Leader David Lidington told MPs that a "police officer has been stabbed" and the "alleged assailant was shot by armed police" after an incident the vicinity of Westminster, London.

Downing Street has confirmed that British Prime Minister Theresa May is safe and Metropolitan Police have confirmed that they are treating the incident as terrorism 'until they know otherwise'.

Several shots were fired, with Scotland Yard saying it was called to a firearms incident on Westminster Bridge on Wednesday afternoon, moments after a loud bang was heard inside the estate.

Westminster was placed on immediate lock down following the incident.

"We are aware of reports of an incident at Westminster. We will put more information out as soon as we can," Metropolitan Police tweeted.

"We were called at approx 2.40pm to reports of an incident at Westminster Bridge. Being treated as a firearms incident - police on scene."

An eye-witness claimed that the attacker "was very swiftly shot by armed police," Sky News reported.

People in Westminster could be seen running from the scene when the shots were heard.

Transport for London has said that Westminster underground station has been shut at the police's request, and buses diverted.

Separate witnesses said a car had mowed down several people on Westminster Bridge. It is not immediately known if this is connected.

A video has since emerged from the scene...

Credit: Twitter

An eye-witness told the Press Association: "As I was coming through the doors at Portcullis House, a policeman grabbed someone who was coming in and threw him out.

"As we were coming though the glass doors I was told by one security guard to get out while another one told me to get in.

"As I walked in I heard a security guard get a radio message saying 'a policeman has been stabbed'.

"Then I walked in as police officers and security start rushing out of the front doors on to the street.

"When I got inside I was wondering what the hell was going on and I saw dozens of panicked people running down the street. The first stream was around 30 people and the second stream was 70 people.

"It looked like they were running for their lives."

The incident occurred as parliament was in session.

The House of Commons was suspended by Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and Air Ambulance has since landed in Parliament Square.

Source: BBC, Evening Times and Twitter

James Dawson

James Dawson is a Journalist at LADbible. He has contributed articles to LADbible’s ‘Knowing Me, Knowing EU’ series on the EU referendum, the 'Electoral Dysfunction' series on the 2017 general election, the ‘U OK M8?’ series tackling mental health amongst young men, and for its ‘Climate Change’ initiative in partnership with National Geographic.

@thejaytoday