Westminster pauses to pray

The Westminster Abbey flag is flying at half mast as a mark of respect to those who died in the attack yesterday. The Abbey is open as normal for prayer. Entrance is through the Great West Door. There is no tourist visiting.

The Dean of Westminster Rev John Hall tweeted last night: "Glad to offer hospitality in Westminster Abbey to members and staff and others from Parliament. - sad incident today."

Canon Pat Browne, Roman Catholic Duty Priest at the Houses of Parliament was in the area when the attack took place. He had just been visiting someone at St Thomas' Hospital and was planning to go to a meeting in Parliament at 3.30, when he found the bridge was blocked. Fr Pat celebrated the 6pm Mass that he usually says in Parliament at his parish in Pimlico.

Today, the Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons and Canon Browne are holding several prayers services for MPs and staff in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Houses of Parliament.