The family of the policeman killed in the Westminster terror attack has thanked those who tried to save his life, and said they care that the officer is remembered for his “selfless bravery and loving nature”.
Unarmed Pc Keith Palmer was stabbed by terrorist Khalid Masood in an 82 seconds-long rampage in London which killed three other people who had been on Westminster Bridge.
Masood drove his car along the bridge at speed, mowing down pedestrians, and was shot dead by police after he stormed the parliamentary estate armed with two knives on Wednesday afternoon.
Hero MP Tobias Ellwood was among those who tried to save Pc Palmer’s life.
In a statement released on Saturday night they said: “We have been overwhelmed by the love and support for our family, and most especially, the outpouring of love and respect for our Keith.
“We want to thank everyone who has reached out to us over the past few days for their kindness and generosity.
“The police have been a constant, unwavering support at this very difficult time. It has made us realise what a caring, strong and supportive family Keith was part of during his career with the police. We can’t thank them enough.
“We would also like to express our gratitude to the people who were with Keith in his last moments and who were working that day. There was nothing more you could have done.
Police have released specific timings of Masood’s murderous spree, showing he took just 30 seconds from mounting the pavement on the bridge to crashing into the perimeter fence at Parliament.
Within less than a minute he made his way on to the parliamentary estate, attacked Pc Palmer, and was shot.
Police believe Masood acted alone on the day of the attack, and warned that while they continue to investigate why he committed the atrocity “that understanding may have died with him”.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the senior national co-ordinator for UK counter terrorism policing, said: “We still believe that Masood acted alone on the day and there is no information or intelligence to suggest there are further attacks planned.
“Even if he acted alone in the preparation we need to establish with absolute clarity why he did these unspeakable acts to bring reassurance to Londoners, and to provide answers and closure for the families of those killed and the victims and survivors of this atrocity.
He said officers are working to establish whether Masood was “a lone actor inspired by terrorist propaganda or if others have encouraged, supported or directed him”.
Fears Masood was groomed for extremism in prison have heightened after it was claimed he turned to Islam behind bars.
Only one man, 58, arrested in Birmingham remains in police custody after a 27-year-old man was released with no further action on Saturday.
A total of 11 people were initially held after raids across the country.
The Saudi Arabian embassy in London said Masood worked in the country, home to some of the most virulent Islamic extremism, for several years, raising the possibility he was radicalised overseas.
A childhood friend of the man then known as Adrian Elms told The Sun newspaper he first emerged as a Muslim after serving a jail sentence.
His route to extremism could have also come from a stint living in the Middle East.
The Saudi embassy said Masood lived in the country between November 2005 and 2006 and April 2008 and April 2009, during which time he worked as an English teacher on a work visa, travelling to the country again for five days in March 2015.
Details of Masood’s history of criminality have continued to come to light, suggesting a propensity for violence which laid the groundwork for his armed rampage.
Ellwood and security minister Ben Wallace have been appointed to the Privy Council for their roles in responding to the atrocity.
Masood’s victims on the bridge included US tourist Kurt Cochran and his wife Melissa, from Utah, who were on the last day of a trip celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. Mr Cochran was killed and Mrs Cochran was badly injured.
Aysha Frade, who worked in administration at independent sixth-form school DLD College London, in Westminster, also died. She is believed to be a 43- year-old married mother of two.