London terror assailant identified

The man believed to have carried out the attack in Westminster has been named by police as Khalid Masood, reports BBC. Kent-born Masood, who was shot dead in the attack, was not the subject of any current police investigations, but had a range of previous convictions.

The 52-year-old was believed to have been living in the West Midlands. The so-called Islamic State group has said it was behind the attack, in which PC Keith Palmer, Aysha Frade and US tourist Kurt Cochran were killed. Eight arrests were made in London and Birmingham following Wednesday’s attack.

Masood drove into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before crashing his car into railings and then running into the grounds of Parliament, armed with a knife. He stabbed PC Palmer before being shot dead by police.

The Metropolitan Police said there had been no prior intelligence about Masood’s intention to carry out an attack. But he was known to the police and his previous convictions included causing grievous bodily harm, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences.

The so-called Islamic State group has said it was behind the attack, in which PC Keith Palmer, Aysha Frade and US tourist Kurt Cochran were killed.