St Albans Lib Dem candidate told to “run” after Westminster attack

Daisy Cooper (Image: Archant)

Ms Cooper was in the House of Lords giving a presentation earlier this afternoon.

Police outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after sounds similar to gunfire have been heard close to the Palace of Westminster. Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire (Image: JONATHAN BRADY)

She told the Herts Advertiser: “I was told I couldn’t leave as there had been a shooting outside.

Emergency personnel close to the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman was stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire (Image: Press Association)

“We tried to go to the café, but all the rooms by the river had been evacuated. We were herded towards central lobby.

“At one point armed masked police officers ran in and told us to run so we ran up the stairs.

“We were then told to come down quickly and were herded into the Central Lobby where I’ve been ever since.”

She says an evacuation was started, but then stopped, with children present being taken out first.

She is currently in the Central Lobby with journalists, MPs, peers, journalists, canteen, and parliamentary staffers.

Ms Cooper said: “I’m with a pregnant woman who is understandably shaken.”

Water is now being given out as it has become very hot in the room.

“Most people are very calm and composed.”

Harpenden MP Peter Lilley was apparently not in the Commons at the time, and neither were any of his staff.

Police say they were called at 2.40pm to a firearms incident at Westminster.

There are also reports a car barrelled over Westminster Bridge before crashing into the fence around the Parliamentary estate.

It is being treated as a terrorism incident until proven otherwise.