Anniversary of Westminster attack marked with vigils and prayers

The first anniversary of the Westminster Bridge terror attack was marked with vigils and prayers at the Palace of Westminster today (22 March). At 9.30 in the morning, a two-minute silence was held in both Houses for those who died: PC Keith Palmer, 48, who was killed in the courtyard of the Palace of Westminster, American tourist, Kurt Cochran, 54, Romanian tourist, Andrea Cristea, 31, and two Britons, Aysha Frade, 44, and Leslie Rhodes, 75, who were mown down on Westminster Bridge. Dozens more were injured as Khalid Masood, 52, carried out the attacks before he was shot dead.

In the morning, Prime Minister Theresa May attended a private service led by Speaker's Chaplain Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, in the MPs' Chapel of St Mary Undercroft. Roman Catholic Duty Priest. Canon Pat Browne, sang a beautiful rendition of 'Lord of All Hopefulness' during the service. Mrs May laid some flowers near the scene of the attacks before leaving for an EU summit in Brussels.

At noon, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentumu, other faith leaders, Speaker of the House John Bercow, many MPs, the head of the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, and senior police officers, members of the Catholic Police Guild and others caught up in the attack, attended a Vigil of Remembrance in Westminster Hall.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, told the gathering that a year ago "darkness struck across Westminster Bridge and in this palace. It spread across the bridge like a snake, driving to left and right, killing and harming."

"A year ago today, on this estate and on Westminster Bridge, we were visited by what I regard as evil," said Rev Hudson-Wilkin, who led the service. Praising PC Palmer she said: "He ran towards the danger in order that we might be safe".

Two more services were held in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the afternoon and evening.

The message #LondonUnited is being projected in four locations around London overnight as an act of solidarity: London Bridge, Finsbury Park Mosque, Parsons Green underground station, and the Houses of Parliament,

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has organised a digital book of condolence at City Hall where the public will be able to pay their respects and sign a 'digital book of hope'. The book will become part of a 3D installation in City Hall that will be open to the public until 19 June - the anniversary of the Finsbury Park attack.