Westminster attacker told friend of desire to kill people

The terrorist behind the Westminster attack sought professional help for anger issues and told friends he dreamed of killing someone, according to reports. Those who knew Khalid Masood, also known as Adrian Russell Ajao and Adrian Elms, said he was a ‘troubled’ character whose volatile behaviour and violent temper caused alarm. As investigators try to piece together his path to extremism, the Saudi embassy in London confirmed he was in the country three times. In a statement, the embassy said he had a work visa and taught English there from November 2005 to November 2006 and again from April 2008 to April 2009. He then returned for six days in March 2015.

I want some blood, I want some f****** blood. I want to kill someone.

Khalid Masood

Details of Masood’s lengthy criminal history have continued to emerge since Wednesday’s terrorist attack. The 52-year-old hit pedestrians on Westminster Bridge with a car before crashing into railings outside Parliament and fatally stabbing PC Keith Palmer in the grounds of the Palace of Westminster. Three other innocent victims were killed. Masood was shot dead by armed police moments later. Fears are also growing he may have been groomed for extremism during his time in prison, with a childhood friend claiming the killer turned to Islam and changed his name to Khalid Masood after serving a jail term for assaulting someone with a knife.

I heard he’d split from his partner and got even more deeply into religion. But nothing could have prepared me for hearing his name on the radio.

Mark Ashdown

Europe