Westminster killer Khalid Masood had no links to Islamic State, says security source
ISLAMIC State was simply trying to “jump on the bandwagon” by claiming responsibility for Wednesday’s attack, senior security sources believe.
London attacker described as 'intelligent but unpleasant'
In truth, GCHQ believe IS had nothing to do with the attack and that killer Khalid Masood had never exchanged a word with the terror group.
Within 24 hours of Wednesday’s atrocity, the group’s Amaq propaganda agency said a “soldier of Islamic State” was behind the incident.
It said British-born Masood was following a call made by the group to launch attacks on civilians and security forces in countries allied to the US-led coalition bombing its territories in Syria and Iraq.
It is 100 per cent categorically untrue to suggest that they were in any way involved
Last night an insider rubbished the claims, saying IS had “absolutely nothing to do with it. They are just jumping on the bangwagon.
“It is 100 per cent categorically untrue to suggest that they were in any way involved.
“Initial analysis of Masood’s communications suggest he had no contact with them whatsoever.”
Police name Westminster attacker as Khalid Masood
Although Masood may have been inspired by Islamist terrorism, the wording of the statement suggests no direct involvement from IS.
The 52-year-old married father-ofthree spent four years in Saudi Arabia from 2005 to 2009, before IS was established.
During a statement to the House of Commons on Thursday, Prime Minister Theresa May admitted Masood had been previously investigated by M15 over extremism but was not “part of the current intelligence picture”.
The Sunday Express has learned that within half an hour of the incident, MI5 had contacted the Home Office to demand more armed police on the streets, more money and a full security review.
Their immediate response suggests they had concerns about the lack of armed police patrolling the entrances and exits of Parliament.