Sheffield politicians pay tribute to PC Keith Palmer and victims of London terror attack

Sheffield politicians have today paid tribute to the 'heroic' and 'brave' police officer who lost his life in the Westminster terror attack.
Sheffield Brightside & Hillsborough MP Gill FurnissSheffield Brightside & Hillsborough MP Gill Furniss
Sheffield Brightside & Hillsborough MP Gill Furniss

PC Keith Palmer was stabbed to death trying to apprehend 52-year-old Khalid Masood after he drove a car on into pedestrians on Westminster bridge killing two others yesterday.

Kurt Cochran, from Utah was killed and his wife Melissa, was seriously injured on the bridge.

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Aysha Frade, a mother of two, who worked in administration at independent sixth-form school DLD College London was also killed.

City MPs Clive Betts, Gill Furniss, Angela Smith and Louise Haigh all paid tribute to ones who lost their lives in the attack.

Sheffield peer and city councillor Lord Scriven of Hunters Bar also paid tributes.

Gill Furniss, MP for Sheffield Brightside & Hillsborough said: ''My thoughts are with the victims and their families after yesterday’s heinous attack.

Police on the scene after the attack. Picture: PAPolice on the scene after the attack. Picture: PA
Police on the scene after the attack. Picture: PA
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"One of the victims, PC Keith Palmer risked his life to protect the MPs, staff and members of the public who were at the Houses of Parliament yesterday.

"Tragically, he lost his life protecting us and our democratic institutions.

"We owe a great debt of gratitude to the security forces and police, to emergency responders and to the NHS for their swift and courageous response and unwavering professionalism yesterday.

"My staff and I were back in the office this morning, going back to work as usual alongside millions of Londoners. Any attempt to destroy our freedom and democracy will fail, because of the values that we have at the heart of our society.

Sheffield Heeley MP Louise HaighSheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh
Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh
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"The courage, decency, compassion and tolerance on display today as we recover from this hateful attack shows how strong we are as a nation; and that what unites us is greater than what divides us.''

Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh said: "PC Keith Palmer, in one heroic act, demonstrated once again the incredible duty and service of those in our police and security services who go to work every day to keep us safe. Those of us for whom Parliament is a workplace as well as a centre of our national life, are profoundly in his debt and I will think of him every day I go into work.

“Across the country, as people go about their everyday lives, we are reminded how lucky we are to be protected by police forces in towns and cities across the country. As a former special constable, I know the bravery of these men and women first-hand and they should know the whole country is with them.

“In the days and months ahead, we must act rationally but decisively in tackling the threat of terrorism to our country and ensuring that all our police and intelligence services are fully resourced to perform their vital work,”

Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts. Picture: Parliament TVSheffield South East MP Clive Betts. Picture: Parliament TV
Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts. Picture: Parliament TV
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Penistone & Stocksbridge MP Angela Smith said: “The terrible events of March 22 in Westminster were both shocking and tragic, constituting an attack on democracy and the rule of law.

“I pay tribute to PC Keith Palmer, a man whose life was devoted to serving his country, and would like to express my deepest sympathies to his family as well as the families of the two pedestrians killed on Westminster Bridge. I wish a full and speedy recovery to those injured in yesterday’s attack.

“I feel it is important to remember not the sick crimes of a terrorist committed against innocent people, but rather we should remember the bravery of those exceptional people who rushed to help.”

Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts said: "Every day as an MP I walk past armed police officers in Parliament. They are there to protect my colleagues and myself. They are there to protect our democracy and our democratic values.

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"They carry weapons as a deterrent to violent attacks and as a reassurance to everyone for their safety and security. I say good morning to them and have a friendly chat when I go past.

"Now one of them Keith Palmer is dead. Killed trying to stop an armed attacker entering the Parliamentary estate. Our thoughts will be with his family at this time of their loss.

PC Keith Palmer. Picture: PAPC Keith Palmer. Picture: PA
PC Keith Palmer. Picture: PA

"We should also reflect that given the importance of his role this was not just an attack on Keith Palmer this was an attack on our democratic institutions. We will not let terror prevail. The bravery of Keith Palmer must reinforce our determination to stay strong and united against it.

Sheffield peer and city councillor Lord Scriven was in Westminister when the attack took place.

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He said: "My thoughts are with the hundreds of heroes today and not the one cowardly murderer who created havoc and took loved ones away from families. I wish to praise the police and security services for the miraculous job they did.

"I feel a sense of sadness that a cowardly, twisted and sick murderer took the lives of innocent people.

"Remember the heroes, stand up for our values regardless of our religion, regardless of race."

South Yorkshire Police chief constable Stephen Watson said: “Our thoughts go out to all those affected in yesterday’s events in Westminster and we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those who lost their lives and have suffered injury.

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“We are also particularly saddened at the news of the passing of PC Keith Palmer, who died in the brave execution of his duty.

“To provide reassurance to the public there will be a more visible police presence across South Yorkshire with increased patrols throughout the county.

“While there is no specific information suggesting there is a threat to South Yorkshire at this time, I do want to remind the public to be alert, but not to be alarmed.

"We must all remain vigilant and if you see anything suspicious or that causes you concern call the Anti-Terrorist hotline on 0800 789321 or 999 in an emergency."