"Thank you to all those who have kindly contacted me and my team.
A very sad day in Westminster and devastating for PC Keith Palmer's family who lost him in the saddest of circumstances in the line of duty.
I was in New Scotland Yard for the afternoon in safety with other MPs and staff of the House after evacuating out via the tube exit after the shots where fired. Penny Mordaunt alerted me of the live shots and many others who exited this way due to the amount of people on the escalator. It was not clear how many attackers there were, and Police were shouting for us to leave the scene near the fountain.
I was on my way to vote and had just picked up my pass and a phone - no coat, jacket or bag as I had just left a meeting in my office. I called my team to stay where they were, while alerting others of the incident and telling them to move to safety. Many tourists and bus tourist workers etc. were upset and frightened as they were aware of the other incident on the bridge.
Thank you to the Police, security, air ambulance and Fire staff who helped. Many were called in at short notice as part of the security plan as soon as the event was communicated to them, and they joined in helping to make the estate and area safe.
Parliament is always full of charity workers, people who are giving evidence, people lobbying MPs, community groups, school and student groups and is never just full of politicians. There are IT staff, cleaners, kitchen staff, librarians, Bill staff, and many office staff. So a very frightening day for all those families affected and my thoughts to those innocent bystanders affected on the bridge.
Tobias Ellwood MP, like Police and security, ran into the danger and it's the mark of this man he did all he could. He does an immense job in the Foreign Office and this just shows what a brave man he is - and his action reminds us of the bravery our police, fire and security services show ever day.
I will be back in Westminster today to show my solidarity with colleagues and all those who work in Parliament, and vow to make sure we in Britain NEVER allow terrorists and those who wish to tear us apart ever to win."
Mims