London terror attack: Killer had friends who wanted to join jihadi groups, says source
THE man responsible for the carrying out the London terror attack in Westminster had friends who had an interest in joining jihadist groups abroad, a US government source has said.
Police name Westminster attacker as Khalid Masood
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that there was no evidence that Khalid Masood, who was named by police as Wednesday's attacker, travelled abroad to associate with jihadist groups.
The source told the Reuters news agency: ”The people he was hanging out with did include people suspected of having an interest in travelling to join jihadi groups overseas but the attacker himself never did so.”
The Met Police said the 52-year-old bodybuilder was responsible for the deaths of four people, including a security officer who attempted to stop him, after he drove a 4x4 into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before smashing the car into the gates outside Parliament.
The man shot by police after driving a car into the gates of Parliament
Masood later died after being shot by police.
Islamic State have claimed responsibility for the attack although security sources have said they believe he was inspired rather than co-ordinated by the terrorist group.
Masood was said by the police to be a married father of three children.
He was born in Kent but had recently been living in the Birmingham area. He had also previously worked as an english teacher.
Officers also believe he was using a number of aliases and also had a range of previous criminal convictions - many of them violent.
He had never been convicted of a terrorist offence.
Prime Minister Theresa May earlier described him as being on the "periphery" of Islamic extremism.
The car driven into the gates at Westminster
Scotland Yard said: “The man police believe to be responsible for the terrorist attack in Westminster yesterday, Wednesday, 22 March, has now been formally identified as Khalid Masood.
“Masood, aged 52 (25.12.1964), was born in Kent and detectives believe he was most recently living in the West Midlands. Masood was also known by a number of aliases.
“Masood was not the subject o
Mark Rowley outside Scotland Yard
“However, he was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences.
“His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife.”
Earlier this evening thousands of people descended on Trafalgar Square to attend a vigil for all the victims of the atrocity which was lead by the London mayor Sadiq Khan.
The route taken by the Westminster assailant
Mr Khan said: "We come together as Londoners tonight to remember those who have lost their lives and all those affected by the horrific attack yesterday.
“Also, to send a clear message, Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.
“Those evil and twisted individuals who try to destroy our shared way of life will never succeed, and we can condemn them.”