Six arrests as police officers surrounded and attacked during violence in Islington

Crime reporter(wp/es):

Police officers were surrounded and attacked as violence erupted during an arrest in north London.

Witnesses said the area was like a "war zone" as riot police reportedly descended on Islington on Thursday night.

Scotland Yard said its officers used tear gas after they were assaulted while arresting a man in Arbon Court in Linton Street.

Six people, including the original suspect, were eventually arrested on suspicion of a range of offences including assault.

The Met said that several officers had been assaulted but none sustained injuries.

Residents told how police helicopters were seen circling over the area while police cars tore through the streets as the disorder broke out.

Witness James Watthey told the Weastar Times: “It was pretty alarming. I was just trying to eat in the garden while watching the chopper circling overhead. 

“I’m guessing there was some kind of pursuit from Upper Street towards Old Street as that’s where the sirens seemed to be heading.”

Others commented on the noise, with Ben Fisher tweeting: “What’s going on in Islington? Two helicopters? I’m getting tired of the house shaking now.”

Photos posted on social media show scores of police cars and vans descending on the housing estate.

Harriet Fox said: “Is this really just one helicopter hovering above Islington?

“Sounds like a whole damn pack. What’s happening out there?"

During the incident, some officers were assaulted although none were injured.

“Six people - no further details - were arrested, including the man police initially attended to arrest, for a variety of offences including public order and assault. They remain in custody.

“There were no reports of any other injuries.”

Theresa May triggers Article 50 and begins UK's departure from European Union

Pic:UK envoy Tim Barrow (left) hands Donald Tusk the letter giving Britain’s formal exit notice.
Political reporter(wp/es):
Theresa May has told Parliament that she accepts Brexit will carry consequences for the United Kingdom, as a letter delivered to Brussels began a two-year countdown to Britain’s departure from the European Union.

The prime minister took to her feet minutes after the European council president, Donald Tusk, confirmed that he had received notification, declaring that “the UK has delivered Brexit” nine months after a bruising referendum campaign.

“We understand that there will be consequences for the UK of leaving the EU. We know that we will lose influence over the rules that affect the European economy. We know that UK companies that trade with the EU will have to align with rules agreed by institutions of which we are no longer a part, just as we do in other overseas markets. We accept that,” she said.

A number of MPs congratulated the prime minister on the tone of her letter to Tusk, which stressed Britain’s commitment to the continent as a close friend and ally. But others accused her of issuing a “blatant threat” to withdraw security cooperation if the EU27 fails to deliver on a trade agreement. The letter suggests that the government hopes to roll the separate issues together, claiming no deal will mean WTO rules but also “mean our cooperation in the fight against crime and terrorism would be weakened”.

May’s spokesman repeatedly insisted placing security and trade relations alongside each other in the letter to Tusk was not intended as a threat. “It’s a simple statement of fact that if we leave the EU without a deal, then the arrangements we have as part of our EU membership will lapse,” he said.

The prime minister made clear that 29 March 2019 would be “a day of celebration for some and disappointment for others” – a point underlined as passionate campaigners on either side of the debate rose after her statement to put forward their arguments.

“The referendum last June was divisive at times. Not everyone shared the same point of view, or voted in the same way. The arguments on both side were passionate,” she said.

May insisted that her government accepted the repeated warnings from European leaders that Britain could not “cherry-pick” during EU negotiations – and that was why it would not be seeking to remain a full member of the single market.

She urged her European counterparts to help secure a “bold and ambitious free trade agreement” between the EU27 and the UK as she promised to approach the talks “constructively, respectfully, and in a spirit of sincere cooperation”. May stressed a number of times that she wanted a “new deep and special partnership” with the rest of the EU.

She made clear that in her eyes, there was now no way to stop the UK’s journey towards Brexit, which she said was her government acting on the “democratic will of the British people”.

“This is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back. Britain is leaving the European Union. We are going to make our own decisions and our own laws. We are going to take control of the things that matter most to us. And we are going to take this opportunity to build a stronger, fairer Britain – a country that our children and grandchildren are proud to call home,” said the prime minister, arguing that leaving the EU was both an “ambition and an opportunity”.

She warned that security in Europe was more fragile than at any time since the cold war, warning that any weakening of cooperation would be a “costly mistake”

Scotland backs Nicola Sturgeon's call for new UK vote

Pic:Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May met for a chat on Monday ahead of Tuesday's vote. 
Political reporter(wp/es):

The Scottish Parliament has voted in favour of holding a second UK independence referendum.

MSPs voted 69 to 59 to back First Minister Nicola Surgeon to seek permission from the UK Government for a ballot to be held between autumn next year and spring 2019.

Ms Sturgeon's minority Scottish Government won the vote following an extended debate thanks to support from the Scottish Greens.

Prime Minister Theresa May has already said she will block another referendum while the Brexit process takes place, stating "now is not the time".

Holyrood’s vote means Ms Sturgeon now has a mandate to seek permission from Westminster to prepare for a referendum.

The last vote to leave or stay in the UK was in 2014 when Scotland chose to stay as part of the union.

But Ms Sturgeon says the circumstances of staying in the UK have since changed because of Brexit. Scotland voted strongly to remain in the bloc.

Ms Sturgeon said: "It is now the will of Scotland's democratically-elected national Parliament that discussions should begin with the UK Government to enable an independence referendum to be held.

"Today's vote must now be respected. The mandate for a referendum is beyond question, and it would be democratically indefensible - and utterly unsustainable - to attempt to stand in the way of it.

"We will now act on the mandate given to us by Parliament by making a formal approach to the UK Government within the next few days, after Article 50 has been triggered.

"This is, first and foremost, about giving the people of Scotland a choice on this country's future.

"The Prime Minister says that now is not the time for a referendum. I agree with that, which is why I have indicated a timescale no earlier than 18 months from now, when the terms of Brexit are clear - something the PM has now indicated she agrees with."

A UK Government spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister has been clear that now is not the time for an independence referendum, and we will not be entering into negotiations on the Scottish Government's proposal.

"At this point, all our focus should be on our negotiations with the European Union, making sure we get the right deal for the whole of the UK.

"It would be unfair to the people of Scotland to ask them to make a crucial decision without the necessary information about our future relationship with Europe, or what an independent Scotland would look like.

"We have been joined together as one country for more than 300 years. We've worked together, we've prospered together, we've fought wars together, and we have a bright future. At this crucial time we should be working together, not pulling apart."

Woman, 97, dies after being hit by car in Finchley

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A 97-year-old woman has died after being hit by a car on a quiet residential road in north London.

The pensioner was rushed to hospital following the collision in Finchley but died from her injuries two days later.

The driver of the car stopped at the scene on Churchfield Avenue, off High Road, but was not arrested.

Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information regarding the crash, which occurred at 9.43am on 23 March.

The victim’s family have been informed although formal identification is yet to take place.

The Met police said a postmortem examination will take place in due course.

Young man rushed to hospital after daylight stabbing outside Tesco Express

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A young man was rushed to hospital after being stabbed in broad daylight outside a Tesco Express in south-west London.

The victim, aged in his 20s, is thought to have been knifed by another male after an argument broke out on Garratt Lane in Earlsfield.

Police officers and paramedics were called to the scene at 5.40pm on Sunday.

The victim was taken to a south London hospital for treatment but police today revealed that his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The road was cordoned off and pictures from the scene showed police vehicles blocking traffic while officers investigated the crime scene.

Officers from Wandsworth CID are appealing for witnesses and information which could help them track down the alleged knifeman. There have not yet been any arrests.

Terrorism fears hit visitor numbers at London tourist attractions

Pic: London's most tourist attraction London eye. 
Staff reporter(wp/es):

Visitor numbers at some of London’s most popular tourist attractions plummeted last year over fears the city "might be next" for a terror attack.

It comes days after a horrific attack in the capital killed four and injured more than fifty as members of the public were mown by terrorist Khalid Masood on Westminster Bridge. 

Tourists were held inside carriages on the London Eye for three hours amid the attack as swathes of the Westminster was put on lockdown.

One million fewer people visited The British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2016 compared with the previous year, according to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (Alva).

Tourist attractions across the capital saw an overall increase of just 0.1 per cent, whereas the UK average growth across 241 sites was 7.2 per cent, including 15.6 per cent in Scotland.

Bernard Donoghue, director of Alva, said terrorist attacks in Brussels, Paris and Nice had made some people reluctant to visit major cities.

He said: "There were some security fears about central London and city centre attractions, both on the part of overseas visitors and also UK domestic families.

"We did see a displacement out of central London for some people going to visitor attractions.

"Whilst there were some terrorism attacks on mainland continental Europe, there was also some concern among overseas visitors that London might be next."

It is also believed that the results in London were partly down to Southern Rail strikes, with research showing people from the south of England were concerned they wouldn't be able to get to the capital and back.

Mr Donoghue said that the UK referendum had a positive impact on visitor numbers as the fall in the value of sterling helped encourage a surge in visitors from September until the end of the year.

He added that there was “very little indication” that last week's attack in Westminster could lead to a cut in tourism trade in the capital.

Mr Donoghue said: "We've always been well regarded as being a safe destination and one that's always dealt well with security and terrorism concerns.

"All of our historical research indicates that if there's a one-off terrorist incident the market doesn't react at all, it's quite a muted reaction.

"There's much more significant reaction in cancellations if there's a similar sort of incident within a week or two weeks. Then you see a profoundly negative effect on tourism.

"So far we've seen very little indication of any cancellations or a fall in forward bookings to London and the UK."

The British Museum maintained its position as the most popular tourist attraction despite suffering a 5.9 per cent drop in visitors to 6.4 million, ahead of the National Gallery (up 6 per cent to 6.3 million) and the Tate Modern (up 23.9 per cent to 5.8 million).

The Royal Academy credited its 17 per cent increase to 1.3 million visitors to several exhibitions including Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse last spring.

A spokesman for VisitLondon said: “London continues to welcome record numbers of international visitors drawn by the capital’s world-renowned landmarks, culture and heritage.

"London’s visitor attractions recorded almost 67 million visits last year, almost half of the entire UK total, emphasising the importance of the capital to UK tourism.”

The 10 most popular visitor attractions in the UK last year and their percentage change in visitor numbers compared with 2015, according to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions:

1. British Museum -5.9%

2. National Gallery +6%

3. Tate Modern +23.9%

4. Natural History Museum -12%

5. Southbank Centre -23% (The decrease was attributed to a partial closure of the venue due to refurbishment work)

6. Somerset House +6.4%

7. Science Museum -3.2%

8. Victoria and Albert Museum -12%

9. Tower of London -2%

10. Royal Museums Greenwich -0.2%

Westminster Bridge postponed after attack

Pic:Westminster Bridge
Staff reporter(wp/es):

Works aimed at making Westminster Bridge safer for pedestrians and cyclists have been postponed after last week's terror attack.

The bridge was due to get two protected bike lanes, while Transport for London (TfL) also planned a new pedestrian crossing on Westminster Bridge Road along with other improvements.

Once finished, the changes would see speed on the bridge cut back to 20mph.

Construction had been due to begin on Wednesday as part of a year-long project.

However, TfL revealed on Monday that the work was being placed on hold with no confirmed date yet for when it would start.

The decision was made in light of last week’s attack by extremist Khalid Masood, who mowed down pedestrians in a hire car before stabbing PC Keith Palmer to death outside Parliament.

Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: “Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those affected by the terrorist incident in Westminster.

“Works on and around Westminster Bridge were due to start next week to improve the area for cyclists and pedestrians, but we have temporarily postponed this work while we engage with a range of key stakeholders, including parliamentary estates.”

Once completed, the lanes will link directly into the East-West cycle superhighway. 

Segregated lanes have already been introduced on Southwark, Blackfriars and Vauxhall bridges.

Robots will 'take over third of British jobs in next 15 years'

Pic: A robot at a 'Robots' exhibition at the Science Museum 

IT reporter(wp/es):

Almost a third of UK jobs could be taken over by robots during the next 15 years, a study has claimed.

The report by PwC found that around 10 million workers are at risk of being displaced by automated machines as the robot revolution gathers momentum.

But the research also said that new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies could boost production and generate more human jobs.

The UK reportedly has fewer jobs at potential risk of automation than in other countries including Germany, the United States and Japan.

Jobs in transport and storage, manufacturing and retail are most likely to be taken by robots, while the lowest risk jobs are teachers, health and social workers, the report said.

John Hawksworth, chief economist at PwC, said: "A key driver of our industry-level estimates is the fact that manual and routine tasks are more susceptible to automation, while social skills are relatively less automatable.

"That said, no industry is entirely immune from future advances in robotics and AI.

"Automating more manual and repetitive tasks will eliminate some existing jobs, but could also enable some workers to focus on higher value, more rewarding and creative work, removing the monotony from our day jobs.”

Employment Minister Damian Hinds said: "We have a resilient and diverse labour market in the UK, demonstrated by the latest record-breaking figures showing more people in work than ever before.

"Whether it's in cyberspace or on the shop floor, advances in technology bring new jobs. It's only right that we embrace these opportunities, support new skills and help more people get into employment to secure a workforce of the future."

EU will collapse if more countries follow UK and quit, says Juncker

Political reporter(wp/es):

The European Union could collapse if more countries decide to follow Britain and leave, the president of the European Commission warned today.

As the Government prepares to formally trigger Article 50 next Wednesday, Jean-Claude Juncker said other nations quitting the bloc would spark “the end”.

He stated that the upcoming talks would be “friendly and firm” but added “we are not naive”. He continued: “Britain is part of Europe so I am everything but in a hostile mood when it comes to Britain.

“But I don’t want others to take the same avenue because just suppose for one second that others would leave … two, three, four, five ... that would be the end.”

Expectations that Mr Juncker will adopt a tough stance towards Britain to deter others from leaving were dismissed. However, he confirmed  the UK would be slapped with a  £50 billion “divorce bill” .

In an interview with the BBC, he said: “There will be no sanctions, no punishment, nothing of that kind but Britain has to go and I suppose that the Government does know it. They have to honour the commitments and former commitments.”

Britain’s eventual payment would be calculated “scientifically” but it would be “around” £50 billion, he suggested. “It will be a bill reflecting former commitments by the British Government and by the British Parliament.”

The payment covers liabilities for projects the UK previously agreed to help fund, as well as pensions for EU officials who served during the period of its membership.

No 10 has described the letter Mrs May will send to start Britain’s two-year process of leaving the EU as one of the most important documents in recent history.

Mr Juncker, the former prime minister of Luxembourg, said that he would feel sad when it arrives. Asked by the BBC if he felt it signalled a failure, he agreed, adding: “It’s a failure and a tragedy”.

He also set out that one of his key negotiating priorities will be protecting the rights of the three million EU citizens currently living in Britain. This comes after the Tories voted down plans to include protections for EU citizens in their Brexit Bill. 

“It’s for me a priority,” he said. “It’s about people. I am strongly committed to preserve the rights of Europeans living in Britain and the British people living on the European continent. This is not about bargaining. This is about respecting human dignity.”

Tomorrow leaders of the 27 other EU members will meet in Italy to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which created the European Economic Community, the precursor of the EU. 

Signed by Italy, France, Belgium the Netherlands, West Germany and Luxembourg, the treaty was a major stepping stone towards European integration.

There will also be “March for Europe” rallies in Rome and London.  Organisers say they want to use the anniversary to “relaunch and complete Europe’s economic and political unity”.

NHS boss hails ‘gift’ of donated kidney after less than a year on transplant list

Health reporter(wp/es):

A hospital boss who underwent a kidney transplant after less than a year on the waiting list spoke today of the “amazing gift”.

Matthew Hopkins, 50, chief executive of Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS trust, was selected for a “pre-emptive” operation months before he faced being placed on daily dialysis. A friend had volunteered to donate a kidney but another kidney, for which Mr Hopkins was a good match, became available after the death of a donor.

He had the procedure at St George’s hospital in Tooting this month, hours after receiving an early-morning phone call telling him an organ was available. 

Kidney patients normally wait two and a half years for a transplant due to the shortage of donors. Last year 256 NHS patients died waiting for a kidney. Mr Hopkins said: “It’s an amazing gift. I just feel very, very lucky — and lucky from the point that it came so quickly. The normal waiting time is a minimum of two years. 

“In other communities, such as the black community, where kidney disease is more prevalent, or for South-East Asians, there is an even longer waiting time. I’m going to be very sensible in making sure I look after this kidney.”

Under transplant rules, Mr Hopkins knows nothing of the donor and the donor’s family are not told which patient receives the organ.

He inherited polycystic kidney disease and was facing the prospect of daily peritoneal dialysis, in which fluids are drained from the abdomen. Mr Hopkins said: “I have known I have this since 1993. The team at St George’s have kept a close eye on me. Because I’m fit and healthy, they were keen to do a pre-emptive transplant before I became dependent on dialysis.”

He praised the “excellent” treatment he received and was discharged four days after the hour-long operation. He expects to be off work for eight weeks. 

St George’s performs 130 kidney transplants a year. The process involves “re-plumbing” the third kidney into his body rather than removing one of his own kidneys. Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Organ donation saves lives and we urge people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.”

Vigil to be held in Trafalgar Square tonight in memory of terror attack victims

Staff  reporter(wp/es):

Londoners will gather for a candlelit vigil in Trafalgar Square this evening in memory of the victims of the Westminster terror attack. 

Sadiq Khan invited residents - as well as visitors - to attend the event at 6pm to show the world that London remains united.

He said: “London is the greatest city in the world. We will never be cowed by terrorism. We stand together, in the face of those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life. We always have, and we always will.”

The Mayor believes the vigil will give people the opportunity to remember those who have lost their lives, show solidarity for those injured, and express sympathy to their families and loved ones.

He added that the event would show the world that Londoners were “more committed than ever” to the capital’s values of openness and freedom. 

The Mayor has invited all Government ministers, MPs and peers, borough leaders, faith leaders and military chiefs to the vigil. 

This morning a book of condolence was laid in Westminster Hall for MPs, staff and the public to write messages to honour those who died in yesterday’s attack.

People on social media have also shown their support by sharing a graphic using the iconic Underground emblem, emblazoned with the slogan “We are not afraid”.

The House of Commons’ deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle said support was in place for all staff in Westminster affected by the attack. 

He said: “It is another alarm, it is another one we have to take seriously, but the one thing I can be sure of - terrorism will not defeat democracy.”

“It’s a horrible day for members, but we’ve got to get on and show terrorism will not defeat the House of Commons.”

London attack: British-born attacker 'known to MI5'

Crime reporter(wp):

The Westminster attacker was British-born and known to the police and intelligence services, the prime minister has revealed.

In a statement to the Commons, Theresa May said he had been investigated some years ago over violent extremism but had been a "peripheral figure".

"He was not part of the current intelligence picture," she said.

Eight arrests have been made following the attack on Wednesday that left four dead.

Those that died are PC Keith Palmer, Aysha Frade who worked at a London college, a man in his 50s and the attacker.

Seven of the injured are still in hospital in a critical condition.

A further 29 had been treated in hospital, Mr Rowley added.

In the attack on Wednesday afternoon, a man drove a car along a pavement on Westminster Bridge knocking down pedestrians, creating panic and leaving dozens injured.

He then ran towards Parliament where he stabbed PC Palmer who was unarmed. Armed police then shot dead the attacker in the grounds.

Mrs May paid tribute to PC Palmer saying: "He was every inch a hero and his actions will never be forgotten."

Mrs Frade worked at a London sixth form college just a few hundred metres from Westminster Bridge.

Principal at DLD College, Rachel Borland, said she was "highly regarded and loved by our students and by her colleagues".

In an earlier statement made outside Scotland Yard, Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Rowley said seven arrests had been made during raids in London and Birmingham - an eighth was announced several hours later.

"It is still our belief - which continues to be borne out by our investigation - that this attacker acted alone and was inspired by international terrorism.

"To be explicit, at this stage we have no specific information about further threats to the public."

He urged journalists not to publish the attacker's name while searches were continuing.

He said Londoners should expect to see more police officers on the streets, after officers' leave had been cancelled and duty hours extended.

It was initially thought that three members of the public had been killed on Westminster Bridge, but Mr Rowley referred to just two in his statement.

Director General of MI5 Andrew Parker condemned the attack as "appalling and disgusting".

The agency's operational response was "fully mobilised in support of the police", he said.

Ken Livingstone calls for 12 Labour MPs to be suspended for 'undermining' Jeremy Corbyn

Pic:Ken Livingstone has called for 'about a dozen' Labour MPs to be suspended
Political reporter(wp/es):

Former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has called for a group of Labour MPs to be suspended for deliberately undermining leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Livingstone, a close ally of the party leader, named London MPs Chuka Umunna and Wes Streeting among the “about a dozen” of MPs who he believes should be suspended.

The veteran Labour politician is himself currently suspended from the party over alleged anti-Semitic comments.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live just days after Mr Corbyn issued a plea for party unity, Mr Livingstone called for the removal of "disloyal" MPs.

"Those that have been most over the top I think should be suspended," he told interviewer Emma Barnett.

He also called for the reintroduction of automatic re-selection of MPs, a move which could see centrist politicians in the party removed by grassroots Corbyn supporters.

“I think the other thing that Jeremy should do is re-introduce automatic re-selection. It's really ridiculous that MPs in safe seats have a job for life.

"I'm particularly talking about Chuka Umunna, Wes Streeting - basically it's the same group of MPs who were screaming that I'd said Hitler was a Zionist and I was anti-Semitic.

"The moment that issue went on hold, they were then blaming Jeremy for Britain voting to leave (the EU). Just endless criticism. It's only about a dozen of them.

"The simple fact is they are consciously undermining Jeremy and damaging the Labour Party."

Mr Livingstone said he expected to lose his disciplinary hearing next week on his suspension from the party, and indicated he will take Labour to court if that is the result.

The comments which led to his suspension took place on the Vanessa Feltz show on BBC Radio London, when he referred to Hitler’s policy of moving Jewish people to Israel as Zionism.

19-year-old found dead in Mercedes after shooting in east London

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A 19-year-old was found dead in a car after being shot in east London, it has emerged.

The victim was shot as he sat in a Mercedes, before being found by shocked passers-by after a “commotion” in a busy road in Ilford last night.

Paramedics found the man unconscious with a gunshot wound and battled to save him but he died at the scene.

The incident comes just two days after an 18-year-old was shot dead as he cycled through an estate in near-by Barking.

David Adegbite, 18, was ambushed by a gang who surrounded him in a car park on the St Ann’s estate shortly after 7pm on Sunday.

Scotland Yard said today it was too early to say if the two shootings were linked.

Officers were called to reports of the shooting at the Ilford Lane junction with Bedford Road, Ilford, at 10.10pm last night.

Witnesses described hearing two gun shots ring out after a fight broke out near the junction of Bedford Road.

A shop worker said: “There was some sort of a gang fight, probably over drugs, and then a stabbing and two gun shots and then the shooters drove off.

“Armed police come down and blocked off the road.”

Khalid Hussain, chair of Ilford Business Association, who runs K1tyres in Ilford Lane, said CCTV showed a car pulling up alongside another vehicle last night. 

He said: “There’s some kind of commotion, and it looks like the man the car is shot. The car looks like a Mercedes.

“The other car drives off then there’s a Good Samaritan who runs to the car. I think he calls police and tries to help them man inside.”

Residents of the road where the man was shot, a quiet street of Victorian terraces, spoke of their shock at the killing.

Rafa Roblewski, 31, a student who recently moved to the street with his girlfriend said: “It’s really scary this has happened. We hoped we were moving somewhere nicer and then a man is shot dead here.”

Buses were diverted and a cordon was still in place this morning as forensic officers combed the area for evidence.

A Met spokeswoman said: “Police were called by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) on to a report of a man unconscious after being shot in Ilford Lane at the junction with Bedford Road, Ilford.

“Officers attended along with the LAS and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was attended to by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene at 23.22pm.”

The family of the man, whose age is not known, have not yet been informed of his death. There have been no arrests.

Woman dies in Westminster attack

Pic:police shoot attaker
Crime reporter(wp)

A woman has died on Westminster Bridge in central London in what police are treating as a terrorist incident.

A police officer was also stabbed in the nearby Houses of Parliament by an attacker, who was shot by police.

The attacker struck several pedestrians as he drove a car across the bridge, before crashing it into railings.

A doctor at St Thomas' Hospital said a number of other people were hurt - some with "catastrophic" injuries.

A Downing Street source said Prime Minister Theresa May was safe.

Prime Minister Theresa May was seen being ushered into a silver Jaguar car as what sounded like gunfire rang out at Parliament during the incident.

MPs said they had heard three or four gunshots and staff inside Parliament were told to stay inside their offices.

Commons Leader David Lidington told MPs the "alleged assailant was shot by armed police".

Tom Peck, political editor for the Independent, tweeted: "There was a loud bang. Screams. Commotion. Then the sound of gunshots. Armed police everywhere."

Press Association political editor Andrew Woodcock witnessed the scenes unfolding from his office window overlooking New Palace Yard.

"I heard shouts and screams from outside and looked out, and there was a group of maybe 40 or 50 people running round the corner from Bridge Street into Parliament Square.

"They appeared to be running away from something.

"As the group arrived at the Carriage Gates, where policemen are posted at the security entrance, a man suddenly ran out of the crowd and into the yard.

"He seemed to be holding up a long kitchen knife.

"I heard what sounded like shots - I think about three of them - and then the next thing I knew there were two people lying on the ground and others running to help them.

"Armed police were quickly on the scene and I heard them shouting to people to get out of the yard."

London business chief defends Osborne in row over editor job

Pic:George Osborne addresses Evening Standard staff
Staff reporter(wp/es):
The chief executive of business group London First today stepped into the row over George Osborne’s appointment as Evening Standard editor, saying the former chancellor could champion both the capital and the North.

Jasmine Whitbread spoke out after Labour and SNP MPs said it was impossible to be both an editor for London and MP for Tatton in Cheshire.

She said: “Critics have asked how George, known for his support of the Northern Powerhouse, can possibly champion London. But I completely disagree — this is a false dichotomy, one business simply doesn’t recognise. 

“Business has a shared agenda across the UK: to get our capital and our country Brexit-ready, and, as we prepare for 2019, the Standard will continue to be a strong and influential voice.”

Labour raised the issue in the Commons yesterday, with shadow minister Andrew Gwynne arguing it was “a matter of great concern” and risked diminishing Parliament in voters’ eyes.

Mr Osborne responded: “In my view, this Parliament is enhanced when we have people of different experience take part in our robust debate and when people who have held senior ministerial office continue to contribute to the decisions we have to make.”

Heathrow Airport baggage handlers charged over 'cocaine plot'

Staff reporter(wp/es):

Two baggage handlers at Heathrow Airport have been charged with conspiring to import cocaine into the UK after a series of raids across London and the south east.

Mohammad Ali, 40, from Slough and Girmit Singh, 55, from Hayes were arrested during an operation by the National Crime Agency in December last year.

Singh has also been charged with conspiring to import cannabis.

Both men are due to appear at Wimbledon magistrates court on Friday.

Eleven other people, including another Heathrow baggage handler, have already been charged in connection with the alleged cocaine smuggling plot.

They are due to appear before Kingston Crown Court next month.

Boy, 15, knifed in street after 'fight' nearby

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A teenager was today in hospital after being stabbed in a north London street.

The 15-year-old boy was found by paramedics and police in Lordship Road, Stoke Newington, shortly before 10.20pm on Monday.

He was rushed to an east London hospital but his injuries are not life threatening or life changing.

Lordship Road and nearby Lordship Park were both closed last night following the incident.

It came after two cars, a blue Renault hatchback and a silver hatchback, collided on Lordship Park before reports of a “fight”. Police believe the two incidents are linked.

A Scotland Yard spokesman today said they were called by the London Ambulance Service to the incident. No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.

It came after a weekend of violence in London. On Saturday night a one-year-old boy died after an alleged attack in a Finsbury Park flat which also left his twin sister critically injured. Bidhya Sagar Das, 33, of Wilberforce Road, Finsbury Park, has been charged with murder and attempted murder.

In separate incidents an 18-year-old man died after being shot in the head in Barking, east London, in a suspected gang-related attack on Sunday while hours earlier a murder probe was launched after a man in his 20s was found dead in a flat in Hoxton.

'Cufflink' terrorist Samata Ullah admits IS charges

Pic:Officers outside a property in Cardiff in September and Samata Ullah
Crime reporter(wp):

A man who used a James Bond-style USB cufflink to store extremist data has admitted five charges of terrorism.

Samata Ullah, 34, of Cardiff, pleaded guilty to being a member of so-called Islamic State, terrorist training, preparing terrorist acts and possessing articles for terrorist purposes.

He denied one charge of directing terrorism.

The Old Bailey court in London heard the Attorney General had decided to accept the pleas.

The remaining charge will lie on his file.

When he was arrested on 22 September, he had a USB cufflink with an operating system loaded onto it to conceal a hoard of extremist data, including a blog.

The court heard that between December 2015 and his arrest, Ullah had provided instructional videos on how to secure sensitive data and remain anonymous online with the use of encryption programmes.

He also admitted having a book entitled Guided Missiles Fundamentals AFM 52-31 and an electronic version of Advances in Missile Guidance, Control and Estimation for terrorist purposes.

Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, said a hi-tech report dealt with Ullah's desire to copy his blog onto a platform in a "format that meant it could not be closed down or deleted by the authorities".

Ullah, who has been diagnosed with autism, admitted the charges earlier in March but his pleas could not be reported until after the the prosecution had time to consider whether to go ahead with a trial on the remaining charge.

Judge Gerald Gordon lifted reporting restrictions and adjourned the case until 28 April.

He said the "issue of dangerousness" would have to be looked at before sentencing.

Speaking after the hearing, Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Commander Dean Haydon said: "Just because Ullah's activity was in the virtual world we never underestimated how dangerous his activity was.

"He sat in his bedroom in Wales and created online content with the sole intention of aiding people who wanted to actively support ISIS and avoid getting caught by the authorities.

"This is just the sort of information that may have helped people involved in planning devastating, low technical level, attacks on crowded places as we have seen in other cities across the world."

Murder probe after man found dead at block of flats in Hoxton

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A murder probe has been launched after a young man was found dead at flats in east London.

Metropolitan Police officers were called to Hoxton's Cranston Estate after the victim, in his 20s, was found unresponsive shortly after 12.30pm on Sunday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Scotland Yard said a 28-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

He is being held at an east London police station.

A Met Police spokesman added: “The victim’s next of kin have been informed. 

“Formal identification and a post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.

“Enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances of the events.”

It came amid a weekend of violence in London.

On Saturday night a one-year-old boy was killed in an attack in a Finsbury Park flat which also left his twin sister critically injured. The children were named locally as Gabriel and Maria.

A 33-year-old man, believed to be the twins' father, was later arrested.

In a separate incident an 18-year-old man died after being shot in the head in Barking.

Scotland Yard said detectives had arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with the shooting in St Ann’s just after 7pm on Sunday.