By President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have written to Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom respectively to convey their condolences on the terrorist attack in Westminster, London, on 22 March 2017, Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) wrote in a statement.
The incident took place at Westminster Bridge where an attacker allegedly drove into people along the pavement on Westminster Bridge, mowing them down, injuring 40 people, 29 of whom were taken to the hospital.
Khalid Masood, the attacker police believe to be responsible for the attack, then ran into Parliament and stabbed PC Keith Palmer, 48, who confronted him and was unarmed at the moment. PC Keith Palmer, who is a husband and a father, passed away due to the injury.
As of Thursday (23 March) night, four people remain in the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries.
At least five people are reported to be dead, including three members of the public, one police officer and the attacker himself, who was shot dead by armed officers.
Masood, who was born in Kent on Christmas Day 1964, had a string of criminal convictions.The 52-year-old attacker from Birmingham is described as a criminal with a 20-year record of offending, and who had once been investigated for extremism. However, the police assessed the man as posing a low risk.
“He was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences,” the Met stated.
“His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife,” it added.
During investigations, the police also raided Masood’s recent home in Winson Green, and at properties in London, Carmarthenshire and Brighton.
Masood was a gardener and one of his neighbour, Iwona Romek, described him as a keen one, saying that he was a “nice man”.
She told the Guardian, “I used to see him outside doing his garden. Never any trouble.”
The Police believed that Masood rented the Hyundai car that he turned into a weapon of terror from the depot of a car hire firm, Enterprise, in Spring Hill, Birmingham.
There were some reports that Masood was not likely his original name. He was believed to have converted to Islam and changed his birth name, Adrian Elms.
Theresa May told MPs Masood had been previously known to MI5, saying, “Some years ago, he was once investigated in relation to concerns about violent extremism. He was a peripheral figure. The case is historic – he was not part of the current intelligence picture.”
Although the claim could not be verified, ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Amaq, the news agency it uses to broadcast propaganda, issued a statement describing the attacker as a soldier of Islamic State, without naming Masood.
Here is the letter by President Tony Tan to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom :
23 March 2017
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Your Majesty,
I am deeply saddened by the vicious attack in Westminster, London on 22 March 2017 which resulted in many casualties. On behalf of the people of Singapore, I convey our deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, and whose lives have been affected by this horrific incident. We wish those injured a speedy recovery.
Singapore strongly condemns this senseless and horrific terrorist act. Singapore stands in solidarity with the United Kingdom during this difficult time, and in the broader fight against terror.
Yours sincerely,
TONY TAN KENG YAM
And here is the letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May:
23 March 2017
Dear Prime Minister May,
I was shocked by the horrific terrorist attack in Westminster, London on 22 March 2017 which killed several people, including a police officer, and injured many others. On behalf of the Government of Singapore, I extend my condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a quick recovery.
Singapore strongly condemns this attack, and stands in solidarity with the United Kingdom against such acts that attempt to incite fear, create divisions and disrupt our lives. I am confident that the British people will overcome this challenging period with dignity and fortitude.
Yours sincerely,
LEE HSIEN LOONG
The Rt Honourable Theresa May MP
Prime Minister
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland