'Machine guns ...and panic'

STANDING guard . . . two officers at a cordoned off area on the way to the Houses of Parliament in central London

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OLDHAM MPs have spoken of their horror after five people died in a suspected terrorist attack that struck at the heart of democracy.

A knifeman ploughed a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing three people and injuring 40, then ran through security gates at the Houses of Parliament and fatally stabbed a policeman before being shot dead by police. MPs were trapped inside Westminster for almost five hours as Parliament went into lockdown during the aftermath.

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon said: "The news coming in from the Westminster attack is chilling. My heart and prayers go out to those affected and to our brave emergency services.

"Police and wider emergency services, and the Houses of Parliament staff are amazing. Without them we have no democracy."

He was in the House of Commons chamber when "the afternoon suddenly switched from an ordinary parliamentary vote to machine guns and panic."

He added: "This panic was being carried down the corridor from people shouting to get in and then armed police came rushing down the corridor. They were wearing T-shirts, so it took a while to process whether they were bona fide police ­- you see people running down towards you with machine guns, it's slightly worrying.

"Then the doors were locked. The main thing was telling family and friends that we were OK. There were children in the gallery who were taken out. That was a bit unsettling to be honest.

"Because of the high security ­- every day when you walk in it says the threat level is severe on the screen ­- it's always in our consciousness that the building could be targeted. I suppose we have been waiting for the day and today was the day.

"As MPs we may feel unsettled in here, but ultimately we are safe and it's people outside who have been hurt. Innocent people going about their business have been hurt and a police officer there to protect us has been killed. It just makes me feel sick.

"The attack on our capital and the seat of our democracy was designed to weaken us and put fear into us. It have the opposite effect as we reflect on the value of our democracy.

"The events which lead to the death of three innocent people and the killer himself have shaken us. We all feel the pain imaging the loss family and friends of those killed are now going through. The attacker has died a coward. The victims are heroes who were killed and injured defending our democracy."

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams urged people around Parliament to stay safe, adding: "Dreadful Day. My thoughts are with those who have been killed and injured as a result of this senseless attack. Thanks to the police and all who responded."

Ashton and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner was among those MPs who turned to twitter to let people know she and her staff were safe as Westminster went into lockdown.

She added: "So sorry to hear of the death of the police officer who died protecting us today in parliament, our thoughts are with his family.

"My thoughts are with those injured and our emergency services and security officers dealing with the incident."

The flag at Oldham Civic Centre was flying at half mast after the attack.

The incident caused nervousness around Greater Manchester with a bus evacuated and a cordon put in place after a suspicious bag was discovered on board in Bury Old Road, Salford, at 5.50pm. Investigations confirmed it was not suspicious.

Chief Inspector Mark Dexter, of GMP's Spec Ops, said: "Officers from the Specialist Operations Team supported by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue staff worked quickly to examine the bag and concluded that the contents were not suspicious.

"We are conscious that people will be concerned following the events in London, there is nothing to indicate that this incident was anything sinister."

GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: "Our sympathies go out to all those affected by the serious events in London. I want to assure the people of Greater Manchester that GMP and its partners will be reviewing all security in light of the incident.

"Although I think it is important to stress that there is no specific intelligence suggesting an imminent threat to Greater Manchester, we will continue to review our deployments and take all possible steps to keep people safe.

"It is also incredibly important at times like this that communities come together and support each other. Should anyone have any concerns or see anything suspicious I would urge them to report it immediately.

"I wish to extend the thoughts and sympathy of all at Greater Manchester Police to the families of the Metropolitan Officer and people murdered during the terrorist attack in London.

"Police officers recognise the risks to themselves in undertaking their role to protect fellow citizens. Despite the knowledge of the risk we face, it is absolutely shocking when an officer carrying out their public duty is murdered in this way."