Prime Minister pays tribute to Westminster terror attack victims
Tuesday, 22nd March 2022
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson MP, today paid tribute to the victims of the terror attack which brought Westminster to a standstill five years ago.
On 22nd March 2017 a terrorist drove a car into pedestrians on the pavement along the south side of Westminster Bridge and Bridge Street, injuring more than 50 people, four of them fatally. He then crashed the car into the perimeter fence of the palace grounds and ran into New Palace Yard where he stabbed an unarmed police officer.
The victims on the bridge were Kurt Cochran, Leslie Rhodes, Aysha Frade, and Andreea Cristea.
PC Keith Palmer, who was unarmed on duty in New Palace Yard, tackled the terrorist and was fatally stabbed.
The Prime Minister made his tribute during a service of commemoration at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey, to mark the fifth anniversary.
The service was also attended by the Home Secretary, Priti Patel MP, and the Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick.
The Bidding
The service was conducted by the Right Reverend Anthony Ball, Rector of St Margaret’s and Canon of Westminster, who said in his Bidding:
‘We come together to remember (the victims) and recognise the impact of that day on the lives of their relatives in Romania, Spain, the USA and this country; on the lives of Londoners and visitors from around the world who survived; on the lives of all who responded to those in need.
'We come together with gratitude for the dedication and skill of our emergency, health, security, local authority and voluntary services; for the courage and care shown by members of the public individually and collectively; for the commitment to and provision of ongoing support by family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.
‘We come together in solidarity with those who continue to suffer, wherever they may be, even as we pray in hope for a future free from violence and division, a future in which all may flourish.’
Address, readings and prayers
The Address was given by the Reverend Tony Miles, Superintendent Minister, Methodist Central Hall, Westminster.
The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Andrew Smith, gave a Tribute and the Bishop of London, the Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally, read Isaiah 40: 1, 25-end.
Noah Vía Ahmet, nephew of Aysha Frade; Keith Burdon, Police Officer on duty at New Palace Yard; and Janet O’Sullivan, Civilian Responder on Westminster Bridge gave readings.
Prayers were led by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon of Westminster and Precentor, and said by:
• the Venerable Luke Miller, Archdeacon of London
• Canon Mia Hilborn, Chaplaincy Team Leader, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
• the Reverend Prebendary Jonathan Osborne, Senior Chaplain, Metropolitan Police Service
• His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos
The organ was played by Greg Morris and The Manchester Survivors Choir sang during the service.
After the service the congregation, including the Prime Minister, each laid a single white flower on the green outside the church.
Order of Service - 5th anniversary of the terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge and in New Palace Yard (pdf, 375KB)
