Chiswick's MPs Were Caught Up In Westminster 'Lockdown'

Ruth Cadbury and Rupa Huq say their thoughts are with the families of the victims

Local MPs Ruth Cadbury and Rupa Huq were amongst those on lockdown during the Westminster attack this week. There were held for several hours inside Parliament while the police dealt with the terror attack which claimed the lives of three people and the assailant.

Ruth Cadbury MP for Brentford & Isleworth told Chiswickw4.com that she had been sitting on a bench in a lobby outside the Chamber "when everything kicked off". There had been a vote and MPs were awaiting another vote, so she went outside to work on her script in a quiet corner.

She was concerned that the battery in her phone was running low but was able to make contact with her family and tell them she was okay. She also took to Twitter with her comments.

Ruth told us : "When I was elected it took me a while to get used to the sight of people walking around with machine guns. Today while we are safe, ordinary people, members of the public, have been wounded."

Later that evening she attended an anti-third runway meeting in Brentford as planned. On Thursday she issued a statement saying; "First of all can I thank all who sent messages of goodwill to me and my staff yesterday. We really appreciated getting them. We are all fine, although I'm sure people will understand that it will take a day or two to get up to full service after the disruption.

"Secondly, as Londoners and as Parliamentarians, our thoughts are particularly with Keith Palmer's family, his colleagues who are at work today protecting us, and all those injured and bereaved yesterday. In Parliament, are all so grateful to those who put their lives on the line for us, and also with all those who work to make Parliament tick. The Prime Minister, Jeremy Corbyn and many MPs made moving contributions in the Chamber this morning thanking the police, security services, NHS staff and the many others who responded.

"They also said that Parliament cannot be cowed by this terrible act of an individual. As the widow of my colleague murdered by a terrorist last year said, "The Westminster attacker is no more representative of Muslims than Jo Cox's killer is representative of Yorkshire." We must, and we will, work together in our communities, along with the police, learning listening and supporting each other to prevent further tragedies, as such work has already prevented them in recent months."

Rupa Huq MP

Rupa Huq, whose Ealing Central and Acton constituency includes part of Chiswick, was sitting beside Conservative MP Michael Tomlinson (Mid-Dorset) while in lockdown. She tweeted "Despite adversarial politics seen on TV, cross-party friendships across Commons especially at a time like this"

A boxing club from Hammersmith was also on a tour of the Houses of Parliament at the time, as well as school groups and tourists. Hundreds of people were evacuated to Westminster Abbey after the attack. Nearby Portcullis House, where MPs have their offices, was also on lockdown.

The attack caused disruption to commuters coming home from work, with some afraid to use the Underground, Westminster tube station was and a large area of central London near the scene sealed off.

Ealing Council is flying the Union flag at half mast. Hounslow Council issued a statement Thursday. Councillor Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council, said, “Following the horrific attack in Westminster yesterday [Wednesday], I would like to express my deepest sympathy on behalf of everyone at Hounslow Council, to the family of PC Keith Palmer who died yesterday while on duty protecting Parliament, and to the families of the members of the public who also died. Our thoughts are also with the people injured in the attack.

"Officers from the London Borough of Hounslow Prevent Team are working with Metropolitan Police colleagues and visiting places of worship to offer reassurance and support.

"I would like to encourage all our residents to remain vigilant and stay calm. Hounslow is a diverse borough and at this time we must all stand together as one community in the face of such adversity.

"If you see anything that causes you concern or raises your suspicions, please don’t hesitate to call the Counter Terrorism Policing number: 0800 789 321 - or in an emergency 999.”

March 23, 2017