Parliament Attacker Is A Londoner, Well Known To British Intelligence - May

The man who launched Wednesday’s deadly attack at parliament was born in Britain and known to the intelligence services, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday.

“What I can confirm is that the man was British-born and that some years ago he was once investigated by MI5 in relation to concerns about violent extremism,” she told lawmakers.

“He was a peripheral figure.

“The case is historic, he was not part of the current intelligence picture,” May said.

She said there had been no prior intelligence of his intent nor of the plot.

“When operational considerations allow, he will be publicly identified,” she added.

Police have arrested eight people in the investigation into the lone attacker who killed three people including a policeman and injured 40 before being shot dead as he tried to enter parliament.

Andrew Parker, director-general of the MI5 domestic intelligence service, earlier said his agency’s operational response had been fully mobilized in support of the police.

“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our police colleagues, grieving at their loss while also applauding the professional excellence of their response,” he said in a statement.

The attacker killed three people near the British parliament before being shot dead.

Police say they arrested eight people at six locations in London and Birmingham in the investigation into Wednesday’s lone-wolf attack.

The police said 29 people remain in hospital, seven in critical condition.