Speaking in front of Number 10 Downing Street, London, British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wed March 22 said her thoughts are with those killed and injured in an attack close to parliament that she called “sick and depraved.”
Four people were killed and about 40 injured in London on Wednesday after a car ploughed into pedestrians and a suspected Islamist-inspired attacker stabbed a policeman close to Britain’s parliament.
The dead included the assailant and the policeman he stabbed, while other victims were among those hit by the car as it tore along Westminster Bridge before crashing into railings just outside parliament.
“The location of this attack was no accident,” May said outside her Downing Street office late in the evening.
“The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital city where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech. These streets of Westminster, home to the world’s oldest parliament, are ingrained with a spirit of freedom that echoes in some of the furthest corner of the globe. And the values our parliament represents – democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law, command the admiration and respect of free people everywhere. That is why it is a target for those who reject those values.”
May used the opportunity to send a clear message to those behind the events.
“Let me make it clear today, as I have had cause to do before – Any attempt to defeat those values through violence and terror is doomed for failure.”
She also voiced her appreciation to police, security and emergency services.
“For those of us who were in parliament at the time of this attack, these events provide a particular reminder of the exceptional bravery of our police and security services who risk their lives to keep us safe.”
The United Kingdom’s threat level has been set as severe for some time and this will not change.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Rowley will give a further operational update later this evening.
(REUTERS)
