Following the terrorist attack on Wednesday 22nd March on the Palace of Westminster, Rushanara Ali MP attended a vigil on the evening of Thursday 23rd March with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd MP, Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid MP and Harriet Harman MP in Trafalgar Square.

Rushanara said:

"My thoughts are with PC Palmers’ family and all those who were victims of this despicable act of terror. We are incredibly grateful to our brave emergency service personnel who protected the public and Parliament.

It is in the days after an attack like this that we must be vigilant against those who try to exploit these public anxieties. We must provide reassurance to all those concerned and maintain unity in our city and our country and our communities."

Speaking in the chamber following the Prime Minster's statement on the attack on Thursday 23rd March, Rushanara said:

"We are so grateful to the emergency services, and everyone who protected us and the wider public."

"The Prime Minster speaks for the whole country in her message of unity, but does she agree that the painstaking work begins now, in the days ahead, for all hon. Members in our constituencies in providing reassurance and maintaining that unity?"

"It is in the days after such events that we must be vigilant against those who try to exploit attacks and cause backlashes and intolerance against different communities. Does she also agree that the role of the media is critical in ensuring that we maintain our resilience, and that sense of defiance and solidarity?"

ENDS