UK to review security measures after London terror attack
Footage shows Parliament gates left open after car-ramming, stabbing rampage; police probing Khalid Masood's history
British officials said Saturday security at Parliament will be reviewed after new footage emerged that showed large gates to the complex were left open after Khalid Masood rushed onto the grounds as he carried out a deadly terror attack last week.
There are concerns accomplices could have followed him in and killed more people. The footage shows pedestrians walking by the open gates and even a courier entering the grounds.
The new footage follows the release of earlier video showing slight delays and confusion during the evacuation of Prime Minister Theresa May from Parliament as the attack unfolded.
Masood, a 52-year-old Briton with a history of violent offences but no terrorist convictions, was shot by police on Wednesday after a rampage through Westminster left four people dead.
Two other suspects are in custody following searches at 21 locations, mostly around London, in the central city of Birmingham and in the northwestern city of Manchester.
The Islamic State group claimed that Britain’s deadliest terror attack in 12 years was conducted by one of its “soldiers” acting on a call to target countries in the US-led coalition fighting the jihadists.
Police said there was no further threat, but counter-terrorism commander Mark Rowley said they were trying to establish whether Masood acted alone “or if others have encouraged, supported or directed him.”
A Saudi Embassy statement released late Friday said that Masood had visited the Middle Eastern country three times and had worked there briefly.
The embassy said Masood taught English in Saudi Arabia from November 2005 to November 2006 and again from April 2008 to April 2009.
The embassy said that he had a work visa. It said he returned for six days in March 2015 on a trip booked through an approved travel agent.
The Saudi Embassy said that he wasn’t tracked by the country’s security services and didn’t have a criminal record there.
Police chief Rowley said police were “looking at his history” and appealed to the public to come forward with any information about him.
“Our investigation focuses on understanding his motivation, preparation and associates,” he said.
A total of 11 people have been arrested over the attack, their ages ranging from 21 to 58, all on suspicion of preparation of terrorist attacks.
All four women have since been released, one on bail, while five of the men were also released, according to police.
At least 50 people from 12 different countries were injured on Wednesday when Masood plowed his rental car into crowds of people walking along the pavement on Westminster Bridge, before crashing the vehicle into the fence outside parliament.
Three people on the bridge were killed after being hit by the speeding car, then Masood leapt out and fatally stabbed a police officer just inside the gates of the Houses of Parliament before being shot dead.