London attack ‘hero’ minister Tobias Ellwood speaks of 'dark day’

The foreign minister hailed a hero for trying to save the life of PC Keith Palmer in the Westminster attack has spoken in the House of Commons for the first time about that “dark day”. Tobias Ellwood said his thoughts and prayers were with the friends and family of all the victims, including those of the murdered police officer. The foreign minister, who was answering Foreign and Commonwealth Office questions in the Commons, was praised by the officer’s family over the weekend. The image of Mr Ellwood, face bloodied, fighting to save the life of PC Palmer will come to define the moment terror struck at the heart of London. Even as officers shouted for people to stay back in the immediate aftermath of the terror attack, Mr Ellwood rushed forward to try to help the fallen policeman.

I make it clear that I was one of many that stepped forward on that dark day and our thoughts and prayers remain with those family and friends of the victims, including our own PC Keith Palmer

Tobias Ellwood MP

The 51-year-old former Army officer fought to resuscitate PC Palmer, giving him mouth-to-mouth as he lay bleeding on the cobbled courtyard at the foot of the Houses of Parliament.As he rose to answer questions in the Commons, MPs erupted into loud cheers of “hear, hear”.On Thursday, MPs from all parties paid tribute to Mr Ellwood, including the Prime Minister, who praised his actions in the House of Commons. He was appointed to the Privy Council in recognition of the bravery he showed. At the weekend PC Palmer’s family said: “There was nothing more you could have done. You did your best and we are just grateful that he was not alone.” Mr Ellwood lost his own brother to terrorism: Jonathan, a teacher, was among the 200 people killed in the Bali bombings in 2002.

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