Heroes of Westminster are honoured by the Queen

'Hero' MP Tobias Ellwood, who battled to save the life of a police officer in the Westminster terror attack, and security minister Ben Wallace have been honoured for their roles in responding to the atrocity.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Mar 2017, 20:56 BST
Updated 25th Mar 2017, 11:54 BST
Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood shakes hands with an armed police officer as he arrives at the Houses of Parliament in London, Friday March 24, 2017. Ellwood desperately tried to save the life of Constable Keith Palmer, the police officer killed on Wednesday when a man went on a deadly rampage, first driving a car into pedestrians then stabbing a police officer to death before being fatally shot by police within Parliament's grounds in London.Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood shakes hands with an armed police officer as he arrives at the Houses of Parliament in London, Friday March 24, 2017. Ellwood desperately tried to save the life of Constable Keith Palmer, the police officer killed on Wednesday when a man went on a deadly rampage, first driving a car into pedestrians then stabbing a police officer to death before being fatally shot by police within Parliament's grounds in London.
Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood shakes hands with an armed police officer as he arrives at the Houses of Parliament in London, Friday March 24, 2017. Ellwood desperately tried to save the life of Constable Keith Palmer, the police officer killed on Wednesday when a man went on a deadly rampage, first driving a car into pedestrians then stabbing a police officer to death before being fatally shot by police within Parliament's grounds in London.

Downing Street announced that the Queen was “pleased” to approve the appointment of Mr Ellwood and Mr Wallace to the Privy Council.

Mr Ellwood, a Foreign Office minister, ran towards gunfire to help Pc Keith Palmer, who was stabbed in the attack, while Mr Wallace helped coordinate the Government’s response.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The pair will now be entitled to be referred to as ‘Right Honourable’ and receive top-secret national security briefings as members of the Privy Council.

It is mainly composed of senior politicians, but includes some bishops and judges, and has advised the monarch since the Norman era.

Prime Minister Theresa May praised the “extraordinary” bravery of Mr Ellwood in her House of Commons statement on Thursday.

The former soldier was pictured with blood on his face and clothes as he tried to give Pc Palmer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and stem the blood amid the carnage in New Palace Yard on Wednesday, but the officer died from his injuries.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Bournemouth East MP’s bravery was praised by many colleagues, who had gathered in the Commons chamber to listen and respond to Mrs May’s statement on the terror attack.

But Mr Ellwood, whose brother Jonathan was killed in the 2002 Bali terrorist bombing, shook his head as a fellow MP called for him to be recognised in the honours list.

A Government spokesman said their appointments were “in recognition of their service as ministers and the roles both have played in responding to this week’s terrorist attack”.

Meanwhile, counter-terrorism detectives are attempting to trace any associates of Khalid Masood as they mount a huge investigation to establish what triggered the terrorist’s murderous rampage in Westminster.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Eleven people have been arrested as part of the inquiry but Scotland Yard said only four remain in custody - two men aged 27 and 58 who were arrested in Birmingham on Thursday and a 32-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man who were arrested in Manchester on Friday. All are being held on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.

Six of those arrested have now been released from police custody and face no further action - two women aged 21 and 26 and four men aged 23, 26, 27 and 28 who were all arrested at addresses in Birmingham.

A 39-year-old woman arrested in east London has been released on bail until late March.