London attack: UK's most senior police officer confirms he witnessed the fatal stabbing

Acting commissioner of the Met Police is being treated as a significant witness

Thursday 23 March 2017 06:55 EDT

Acting Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Craig Mackey speaks to the media after a minute's silence was observed outside New Scotland Yard in London to pay respect to the victims of the terror attack in Westminster (PA)

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Britain's most senior police officer witnessed the terror attack at Westminster, he has confirmed.

Acting commissioner of the Met Police Craig Mackey is being treated as a significant witness as he was on the scene.

He was not one of those injured.

Speaking outside Scotland Yard just yards from the scene of the attack, Mr Mackey said: "I personally was a witness to part of yesterday's events, including part of the tragic attack on PC [Keith] Palmer.

"As with all police officers, I therefore had a duty to secure my evidence and produce statements yesterday evening, which I did before resuming my role leading our response to this incident."

Mr Mackey, who is temporarily in charge of the Met after the retirement of Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, was Chief Constable of Cumbria Police in 2010 when gunman Derrick Bird shot and killed 12 people.

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London attack: UK's most senior police officer confirms he witnessed the fatal stabbing

Acting commissioner of the Met Police is being treated as a significant witness

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