A DORSET MP battled in vain to save a stabbed police officer in the Westminster terror attack which brought carnage to the streets of London.

Former soldier Tobias Ellwood, who represents Bournemouth East, rushed to help after the officer was severely injured.

The officer was later confirmed as one of four who died in yesterday’s atrocity – which saw an attacker mow down several pedestrians in a vehicle on Westminster Bridge before crashing it into railings then running through the gates of the Palace of Westminster and stabbing the officer. The attacker was shot dead by police.

Foreign Office minister Mr Ellwood, whose brother Jon was killed in the 2002 Bali terror attack, gave CPR and mouth-to-mouth to the injured officer in the grounds of Parliament.

Distressing photos show the 50-year-old with blood on his forehead and hands surrounded by police and paramedics at the height of the mayhem.

After trying to staunch the officer’s wounds by applying pressure, he remained with the victim while the air ambulance arrived. Mr Ellwood was hailed as a hero for his bravery.

Other Dorset MPs were caught up in a lockdown at the House of Commons. Proceedings were suspended and politicians told to stay inside the chamber as events unfolded in the streets outside.

South Dorset MP Richard Drax said his thought and prayers were with all those affected, and he paid tribute to the ‘bravery’ of the police ‘who keep us safe in our homes and on the streets’.

The incident comes on the one-year anniversary of the deadly Brussels airport attack and Mr Drax had earlier feared the incident in London was a ‘revenge’ attack with assailants using the anniversary as a ‘diversion’ and possibly striking in other parts of the UK capital.

He said: “It now appears it was just a lone wolf who, for whatever reason, launched this hate-filled attack on innocent people – and a very brave policeman has died as a consequence.

“It’s a very, very, sad day.”

Mr Drax added: “MPs were safe inside the chamber and were not directly threatened. The nightmare was for those outside and our thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this.

“I would like to pay tribute to the police across the country who risk their lives every day to keep us safe.”

 

WEST Dorset MP Sir Oliver Letwin was also in the House of Commons yesterday and said: “This ghastly event should remind us that the dangers to which we are exposed, and from which brave police officers and many others in our security services protect us, are real.

"We will all be thinking of those who have been attacked, those who have died, and their families.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill was also in the capital yesterday, and had walked over Westminster Bridge around half an hour before the incident.

After learning of the officer’s death, he said: “This reminds us all that police officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep us safe. The officer paid the ultimate price to protect the very seat of democracy in our country.” He said he had the “utmost respect” for Mr Ellwood, who “stepped in to try and save a life using his Army training.”

 

This is how events unfolded in the Westminster attack:

:: Emergency services are called at 2.40pm to an incident in the area of Parliament Square. It emerges that an attacker, armed with two large knives, mowed down pedestrians with his car on Westminster Bridge, including schoolchildren, then rushed at the gates in front of the Houses of Parliament, stabbing a policeman before being shot dead by other officers.

:: MPs are told the chamber would "remain in lockdown" until further notice and business is suspended.

:: At around 3.30pm Scotland Yard says the attack is being treated "as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise".

:: The first death is confirmed after 4pm when a junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital says one woman has died and a number of others have been hurt - including some with ''catastrophic'' injuries.

:: Before 4.50pm, Commander BJ Harrington of the Metropolitan Police says there are ''a number of casualties'' in the attack ''including police officers''.

:: London Ambulance Service say before 5pm that at least 10 patients were treated on Westminster Bridge and a number of hospitals are on alert.

:: Before 5.40pm, sources say a police officer stabbed at the Houses of Parliament has died.

:: At about 6pm, Scotland Yard's top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley confirms four people were killed, including the police officer who was stabbed and his attacker.

:: Before 6.45pm, a spokesman for 10 Downing Street says Prime Minister Theresa May will shortly chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee to discuss the immediate response to the incident in which at least 20 other people were injured. She orders flags to be lowered to half mast over Downing Street as a mark of respect to the innocent people who lost their lives, and a spokesman says she is being kept updated about the investigation.