A COUNTY MP has praised the 'courage, bravery and dedication' of the emergency services who reacted to yesterday's terror attack in Westminster.

Bill Wiggin, MP for North Herefordshire, said he was leaving the division lobbies, having voted, when the Leader of the House announced an incident had happened outside.

He watched the events unfold on television, as well as the blue lights flashing on Westminster Bridge outside his office window, while the chamber was in lockdown.

Four people – including police officer Keith Palmer and the man who stabbed him – have been confirmed dead following the attack.

Mr Wiggin said: "The murder of two and the injury of about 40 pedestrians on Westminster Bridge is an atrocity. This was compounded by the murder of PC Keith Palmer who was guarding the carriage gates at the Parliament Square entrance to the Palace of Westminster.

"It is worth pointing out that thanks to the superb reactions of PC Palmer and the security forces this cowardly attack failed absolutely, with the murderer not even making it 20 metres inside the secure zone.

"Parliament sits as normal today, in defiance of this attacker’s attempt to attack our democracy."

Overnight, police arrested eight people who may have been connected to the attack.

Mr Wiggin continued: "The courage, bravery and dedication of our emergency services should make us all feel proud that we have such people willing to stand in defence of democracy and freedom, and to run towards danger whilst encouraging others to get out of harm’s way.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all affected. There were more than 10 nationalities hurt by the murderer and these people were just innocent tourists enjoying the sights of London. They too deserve to be safe and welcome in our country.

"I felt throughout for the safety of my staff as well as the other workers caught up by this attack. We were kept locked in for most of the day and evening as it was hard to identify if there were more threats expected.

"This was an attack on our democracy, our values and on our liberty. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of our emergency services who do so much to keep us all safe.

"In the coming days, weeks and months, we will show that we are not cowed by attacks such as these, but rather continue to embrace the values of democracy that we all share and hold so dear."