MPs begin to leave Westminster Abbey after being evacuated during a terrorist attack near the Houses of Parliament.

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has been giving his reaction: "The Palace of Westminster is one of the most secure places on the planet probably, but also a target. 

"And we know that as MPs, we know that these days you are a bit more of a target than perhaps we feared that we were, or thought we were, beforehand. 

"But people talk about this being an assault on democracy, and attack on democracy, Yes it is, actually it was an attack on a hard-working copper doing his best to keep us safe - and I know up to a dozen utterly innocent people who were just going about their business."

Callum May
BBC News

Image source, EPA

Children have been allowed to leave the House of Commons nursery after an extended stay in Parliament because of the Westminster attack.

Parents who worked away from the Parliamentary estate are being allowed through police security to collect their children.

The nursery is used by MPs and parliamentary workers. Several were seen wheeling pushchairs up Whitehall 

A Commons spokeswoman said: "Arrangements have been put in place to allow parents to collect their children."

One father whose son attended the nursery, speaking anonymously because of his role, said there were between ten and 20 children in the nursery every day.

"The staff were amazing, they were really really great. They looked after them so well."

Police are guarding the sealed-off streets around Parliament as investigations continue.

Image source, AP

Image source, AP

Image source, AFP/Getty

There has been more international reaction to the attack.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said: "My thoughts are with London. Together we will never cease to prove that love triumphs over hate, tolerance over fear."

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said: "Spain is with the British people. I condemn the attack on Westminster, London. Solidarity with the victims."   

Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said: "My thoughts are with the victims of the terror attack in London and their families. We have to stand together to fight against terrorism." 

Romania's foreign ministry says two Romanians were wounded in the attack, AP news agency reports. 

The ministry said the two had been taken to hospital for treatment, without giving details of their condition.

Image source, PA

Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood has been called a "hero" after he was pictured giving first aid to one of the casualties of the London terror attack.

Police said an officer protecting Parliament was stabbed by an attacker, who was shot by police.

The Conservative MP - and former Army officer - gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the police officer in New Palace Yard, Westminster.

Four people, including the police officer, died in the incident. 

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Image source, Getty Images

London Ambulance Service's deputy director of operations, Pauline Cranmer, said in a statement:

“Our thoughts are with the friends and families of those affected by today’s incident.

"We treated 12 patients for serious injuries, who were all taken to hospital. Eight further patients were treated for less serious injuries at the scene. Sadly, three people also died at the scene.

"We were called to the incident at 2.40pm today, with the first ambulance crew arriving within six minutes.

"We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, London’s Air Ambulance and specialist teams trained to respond to this type of incident.

"We have been working closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene, with our priority being to ensure patients received the medical help they needed as quickly as possible.

"We declared a major incident and our priority was to assess patients and ensure that they were treated and taken to hospital as soon as possible.

"I would like to thank our staff and the other emergency services who responded today.

"Members of the public who are concerned about friends and relatives should contact the police casualty bureau on 0800 056 0944 or 020 7158 0010.”

Image source, Reuters

According to the Press Association, the MPs and peers being held in Westminster Hall, including former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown and former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, have been evacuated from the Palace of Westminster.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said his heart went out to those who had lost loved ones and to anyone who had been affected. 

He said his thoughts were with the family of the police officer who had been killed.

Mr Khan specified there would be additional armed and unarmed officers on the capital's streets from tonight.

He urged residents and visitors not to be alarmed, saying the city was among the safest in the world.

"Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism," he said.