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Connect the World
Terror Attack in London. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired March 23, 2017 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:14] BECKY ANDERSON, HOST: You're watching a special edition of Connect the World. I'm Becky Anderson, broadcasting from the heart of what
is this bustling British capital. This place, as you can see, behind me down at Westminster, is still in lockdown. That is because almost exactly
24 hours ago, the worst terror attack London has endured in more than ten years caused carnage just meters from where I am standing right now.
A news agency linked to ISIS is now calling Wednesday's attacker, who caused these scenes a, quot, soldier of the Islamic state, though ISIS
hasn't provided any evidence of that.
While they boast, parliament quietly remembers, opening with a moment of silence this morning. Soon after, Britain's prime minister gave us the
very latest on the attacker.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THERESA MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: His identity is known to the police and MI-5 and when operational considerations allow, he will be publicly
identified. What I can confirm is that the man was British-born and that some years ago he was once investigated by MI-5 in a relation to concerns
about violent extremism. He was a peripheral figure.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, police say they think he acted alone. But they've been conducting raids and making arrests up and down the country, detaining
eight people so far.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
The inquiries in birmingham, London, and other parts of the country are continuing. It is still our belief, which continues to be borne out by our
investigation, that this attacker acted alone and was inspired by international terrorism.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well three people were killed in the attack, dozens, citizens from 11 nations were wounded. The attacker himself shot dead by police.
Well, CNN of course covering every possible angle on this for you. Nic Robertson is up in
Birmingham for us this hour where some of those raids have taken place. Nick Paton Walsh has the very latest. First, though, from the scene of the
attack, Nic, you are just yards from where I stand at present, just walk us through what we know happened and why.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, as you say, just about 24 hours ago, that that Hyundai, driven by a ma, yes, quote on
the periphery of the sort of field of vision of British security where he began his devastating attack.
Now, he parked the car, it seems, the car seized up on to the sidewalk here and some amateur
video taken of that attack shows the devastation caused, people flung into traffic. One woman actually it seems either jumping or flung into the
River Thames just to my left here. She was pulled within the hour after that with some pretty devastating injuries.
But still, today, this sort of sense of bustling life has returned in last hour and a half or so. But as you say, it is round about this area where
we know two of the victims, of this attack, of the three victims lost their lives. We just learned the name of one of them, Kurt Cochran, an American
citizen from Utah, who was here, can you imagine it, on his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Melissa.
He died at the scene here from what that car did to him and his wife sustained injuries of her
limbs, ribs and head as well. Also, two, Aysha Frade a 43-year-old Spanish teacher who lived among them for some time. She was killed here as well.
But further down this road, that Hyundai continued. Most of the 40 or so injuries were caused in this area here, plowed into that fence down there.
Minimal damage, actually. You can see the attacker then jumped out. Ran around the corner, tried to get into parliament court yard and there killed
his third victim, PC Keith Palmer stabbed at that entrance, government minister tried to provide CPR, resuscitation there. He died at that
particular scene.
But, yes, it's a scene now that is returning as much as possible to life there are some tourists, like 24 hours ago, coming here. Actually you can
see some of them oblivious to what happened just so recently, and for others of course, who (inaudible) part of their daily
work routine, or journey to work. This place will be forever altered in their minds.
As you say, ISIS claiming responsibility through that affiliated Amark (ph) news agency. They used language, suggesting this was a response to appeals
for attacks against nations involved in the coalition, presumably the coalition fighting ISIS, language that suggests some sense of distance. We
have no idea if they had operational control, full knowledge or anything to do with this attack, perhaps until they saw it on television and decided to
try and attach their brand to it sickly afterwards.
That's something we've got quite used to in attacks certainly on the European mainland in the
past year or so. But still, now this landmark in London, beneath Big Ben where I stand now, forever also in the minds who work here at the heart of
British democracy and government.
Back to you, Becky.
[11:05:12] ANDERSON: And Nic, you make a very good point, the perpetrator as we know now, confirmed by the prime minister is British-born. His
actions bearing the hallmarks of attacks that we have seen on the European mainland, sadly, over the past couple of years. Driving a vehicle
erratically across that bridge, that bridge now as you rightly point out, back in business as it were, but plowing into regular folk, men, women and
children going about their business.
WALSH: Absolutely. And I think you have to bear in mind here, you know, this is devastatingly low-tech, easily available, you would say weaponry,
that's the wrong thing to use, but simply a car that may well have been hired specifically for this purpose, a kitchen knife. And one deranged
individual who appears at this point to be accting alone, although we do know of eight arrests connected with this particular attack.
We don't know the full motivation. We haven't yet heard from exactly what was in his mind ahead of this. We've heard from an Amark (ph) affiliated
agency. But still, I think it's the simplicity and the devastating effectiveness for those horrified victims here that has
killed this part of central London, Becky?
ANDERSON: Nick Paton Walsh at the scene of the attack. I want to get you now to Nic Robertson who is in Birmingham. A huge sweeping police
operation since that attack, just 24 hours ago. And Birmingham, where you are, this scene of a number of arrests, Nic, what can you tell us at this
point?
WALSH: Well, the owner of the building behind me where the raids took place, has just been
speaking to journalists. The raids by armed police in the middle of the night lasting about an hour and a half. The armed police using battering
rams to get in through the door we're told by eye witnesses. The police taking away, arresting three people, leading them away. The owner of the
premises now has quite literally in the last two or three minutes spoken. And he has said that the raids went ahead, the police had been into the
apartment, that the police are doing their job, that they've interviewed him, but he said, the three people that were renting this apartment from
him, they say he says these three people that were renting the apartment from him, he didn't know them. He didn't know who they were. He said that
was all handled through the letting agency. And it all inquiries therefore would have to go to the letting agency.
He was asked the question -- did you know the attacker? And he equally replied to that, no,
I didn't.
So, this is a man who rented his apartment to people, he says that he didn't know, three people being questioned by the police. He says let the
police get on and do their job.
The other interesting part of the picture that's emerging with these arrests, is the car rental
agency where the car was rented from, that was used in the attack, is about a mile from this location. So it does begin to build a picture that if the
attacker himself wasn't from here and there's some sort of center of gravity emerging in the attack located in this area.
But as the police have said that he was acting alone, it does begin to paint a picture, too soon to say definitively, and certainly the police
haven't said that. It does begin to paint a picture that - of the attacker's - perhaps he didn't live in Birmingham, perhaps he just spent
time here. It's not clear yet. But it does seem to indicate that perhaps there is a link here, a strong link, potentially, to the attack and to
Birmingham, Becky.
ANDERSON: This is a man that authorities say, or certainly the prime minister has said, was known to authorities. That begins to sort of flush
out just how difficult it is for security forces here in the UK and in other places where they have a sort of pool of people that they watch keep
an eye on, perhaps fall off the radar, and clearly have to prioritize at times those that they are keeping an eye on.
This is very, very difficult work, isn't it, for authorities?
WALSH: It is - it absolutely is. There's a direct connection between the attacks in Belgium and the - and Birmingham. There - one of the people
involved in that nexus of people planning, flooding and carrying out the Belgium Paris attacks took a trip here to Birmingham. That has certainly
been followed up by authorities.
I was standing in Birmingham not far from here about 10 years ago when the police were at that time arresting people on suspicion of terrorism at that
time, the plot was to capture a Muslim-British serviceman, capture him, hold him, and behead him on camera.
So, the police have certainly had in Birmingham their attention focused on a number of very real terror threats. And of course that's, you know, a
small in number compared to the number of people that are known to have gone, the hundreds that have known to gone to join ISIS in Iraq and Syria
and many of those have been coming back. And that also is a big concern and takes up huge resources, Becky.
[11:10:44] ANDERSON: Nic Robertson is on the investigation for you there in Birmingham, which is about 100 miles north of where I am here in central
London in Westminster, where we are slowly learning about the victims of the attack. Among them, London policeman, Keith Palmer. He was a father,
he was a husband, he was 48-years-old. He was stabbed to death yesterday.
The police have set up a fund, a memorial fund for him. Already, it's raised more than 110,000 dollars.
Well, another of the victims, Aysha Frade, was 43- years-old, a Spanish teacher, and leaves behind her husband in London.
Some of her family lived back in Spain, in the small town of Betanzos (ph). The mayor of there passing on his sorrow.
And the third and final victims, this man, Kurt Cochran. He was here in London with his wife,
Melissa, celebrating 25 years of marriage. Melissa was hurt, but will survive her wounds, we are told.
They ran a recording studio together.
Well, London may be a city shaken, but it's also one that is unbowed. London is responding to
Wednesday's attack not with anger, but with displays of affection and support for one another.
These are some of the floral tributes placed at the scene of the attack. And inside parliament, a minute of silence held with lawmakers from all
sides standing in solidarity.
The mayor of London says authorities are doing all they can to insure the city's safety. Sadiq Khan spoke to my colleague, chief international
correspondent Christiane Amanpour earlier, telling her that security has long been a top priority.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SADIQ KHAN, MAYOR OF LONDON: London is the safest global city in the world, and one of the safest cities in the world. My thoughts are with the
family of Keith Palmer, the police officer who tragically lost his life yesterday keeping our city and keeping Londoners safe.
One of the reasons I can say that London is the safest global city in the world, and one of the
safest cities in the world, is because there are literally tens of thousands of Keith Palmers keeping our city safe, working with members of
the public who provide intelligence and information working with our security services.
You will see over the next few days an increased number of armed and unarmed officers across London. You will see some change around some of
the buildings with bollards being put in place.
But we are a safe city. The intelligence we have is that this was an attack from a lone attacker, a lone terrorist trying to destroy our way of
life, trying to divide our communities, trying to kill as many people as possible and injure as many people as possible. And one of the reasons why
fewer people were killed, fewer people were injured, is because of the bravery of
our police service, the bravery of our emergency services, and because we've practiced and prepared for events such as this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDRESON: And you can see Christiane's full interview with London mayor, Sadiq Khan today at 6:30 p.m. in London, that's 10:30 here in Abu Dhabi,
which of course is where we would normally be broadcasting this show from.
Well an ISIS-linked agency says the London attacker was a, quote, soldier of the Islamic
State. But attacks like these have very little to do with religion.
Let's speak with Mustafa Field, director of the Faiths Forum for London on how the Muslim community is likely to be affected.
Am I right in saying that, attacks like these have very little to do with the faith that you know and that you love?
MUSTAFA FIELD, DIRECTOR, FAITHS FORUM OF LONDON: Yes, indeed. I mean, an attack on one Britain is an attack on us all. There's, there's been a
shared - we've been overwhelmed by the condemnations by the community.
This is a desperate attempt by Daesh to continue to try and divide a society. We're seeing in Iraq Shias and Sunnis standing together and
fighting and defeating Daesh in Mosul. They're becoming very desperate. In Raqqa, they're losing ground on a daily basis. And so these are
cowardly attempts by Daesh to inspire lone wolves to fulfill such a brutal murder.
ANDERSON: Mustafa, your work is untiring. You should be applauded for the dedication to keeping communities together, for trying to avoid the
divisiveness that an attack like this could create amongst British communities of all faiths.
But when you talk to youngsters across the country, how many do you think are inspired, impressed by what they find online, whether this murderer was
genuinely inspired by ISIS, or whether he had other issues, how many, how concerned are you that the inspiration goes on?
FIELD: I mean, overall, when we look at the communities that were working and operating across our nation, there's a huge amount of good work that's
taken place. There's a lot more work -- last month there was over 100 mosques open their doors, welcoming their neighbors, we need to see
more of that. We need people to develop more shared citizenship.
The challenge that we have is that there are, there are small minority of individuals who
groups like Daesh, al Qaeda are, are trying to exploit, trying to groom, trying to attract to their violent and divisive way.
But what we're seeing (inaudible) playing a considerable role in challenging that. Just last month, we took a group of young girls from
different communities alongside to Twitter, but we're tweeting to them about coding and how they can you know, inspiring them to be contributors
to this country.
ANDERSON: Back in 2005, when we stood on the streets of London after the attacks on the 7th of July and on the potential attacks on the 21st of
July, we spoke to so many people from the Muslim community. At that time, we would speak to a lot of people from mosques, and from communities who
were inspired by their religion.
These days, aren't we finding that youngster who might have gone off to fight for these murderous groups, may have come back or just inspired, are
they -- have they got anything to do with the sort of groups that we're talking about that we used to say could make a difference?
FIELD: I think faith institutions and the hubs and the community spirits and student societies have a very important role in shaping the outlook of
young people and changing behavior and attitudes.
And it's very important that we develop capabilities that will enable young people to support
their peers.
ANDERSON: Do you think those capabilities are failing at the moment, though?
FIELD: We are at a very challenging moment. We know that groups like Daesh are constantly you know, becoming more sophisticated in terms of
their techniques to try to attract young people. They're marketing and their vigils are extremely -- something that we as a small charity in many
ways, basically have no way of competing with.
And this is why it's really important that the private sector, government, faith communities, work together to challenge this.
We are seeing a lot of step-up. And I think - I, you know, in many ways, as tragic as the attack
that took place, it was cowardly, it was not sophisticated, it was ramming a car, hitting children, hitting civilians. Stabbing a police officer with
a knife.
There's nothing sophisticated, it's desperate. It's their failing and they're trying to divert their attention to this.
ANDERSON: It's a pleasure having you on. Thank you.
FIELD: Thank you.
ANDERSON: There's a lot going on in the wake of this attack. In just about 30 minutes, we'll
be listening out for some new comments about what's going on from Britain's foreign minister. Then we're going to get you the mood from inside
parliament as lawmakers regroup.
And in just a few hours from now, I'm going to get you to a candlelit ceremony, remembering
those who lost their lives. All that right here on CNN.
Well a developing story for you just in to CNN, and police in Belgium say they've detained a man who was speeding through Antwerp in a car carrying
weapons. We've got new video showing police removing that car from the scene. The driver, a French national as we understand it, sped away
from soldiers trying to stop him. But police eventually caught up with him.
That is when they discovered the weapons and a can filled with an unidentified substance.
French President Francois Hollande released a statement saying the driver was looking to
kill people. And that a terror attack was thwarted.
A lot more on the attack in London, just ahead including a look at how people here are standing together to confront this tragedy.
I'm Becky Anderson, this is a special edition of Connect the World from the heart of the capital, here in Westminster, do stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:22:12] ANDERSON: Londoners were greeted with heartwarming messages that their local tube stations this morning. This sign at the Oval Tube
Station says you have to be at your strongest when you're feeling at your weakest. Our condolences. Our city, our diversity, our strength.
A thought of the day at Tottenham Court Road, side by side we stand together.
And at Tower Hill Station, the flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful
of them all with the hashtags #londonisopen and we are not afraid.
Well, live from London, a city in mourning, but a city defiant. A metropolis making sense of what happened just 24 hours ago.
You're watching CNN. This is Connect the World. I'm Becky Anderson. Welcome back.
Now, the queen sending her condolences and praising the work of the London police saying
quote, my thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy are with all of those who have been affected by
yesterday's awful violence. I know I speak for everyone in expressing my enduring thanks and admiration for the members of the metropolitan police
service and all who work so selflessly to help and protect others.
The Vatican sent a letter to the archbishop of Westminster expressing the pope's sorrow
over the attack, quote, deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and of the injuries caused by the attack in central London. His holiness, Pope
Francis, expresses his prayerful solidarity with all those affected by this tragedy. Well, let's speak to someone now very familiar with
Britain's parliament. One of the scenes of that terror attack as well as the fight against terrorism.
British MP, Mark Pritchard joins us now. And Mark, you were, I believe in the House this morning when the prime minister spoke, Theresa May,
effectively suggesting that this is a country that will not be defeated.
Just give me a sense of what the atmosphere was like in the chamber today.
MARK PRITCHARD, BRITISH MP: Well the chamber was completely packed. It was a somber atmosphere, but a defiant one as you suggest.
And we started off with prayers in the usual way. Led by the speaker's chaplain. We then had a minute of silence in tribute to those that had
been tragically killed and injured.
And then unusually the speaker's chaplain - and I think rightly so - read a scripture, read psalm 23. And of course there is a verse in that psalm
that speaks about I will fear no evil.
And while this is a terrorist attack and a tragic attack, we do remain defiant here in the United Kingdom. Our values will not be crushed. We
will not be cowed by terrorism. And on democracy and freedom of speech and tolerance, and this is a world-famous city which is known for its tolerance
and its inclusiveness, we remain defiant in standing up for those values notwithstanding this awful attack.
[11:25:09] Just in the past ten minutes or so I've had a member of the Muslim community standing here with me, talking about how, as brutal as
this attack was, it smacked of desperation from a group who, for all intents and purposes he was suggesting was on last legs.
The level of alertness is one down where it should be. Is that where it should be?
PRITCHARD: I think so. And the prime minister of course was the longest- serving home secretary in our history. So, she along with the joint intelligence
committee, and other intelligence officials and senior police officers have come to that judgment based on information that we're not
necessarily privy to and certainly some parts of the media.
So I think it's the right decision, of course severe meant always that we were expecting an
attack. It means by definition, that attack was highly likely. So this was not an unexpected attack, albeit tragic. And I have to say the police
responded very, very quickly, and I again gave credit, as her majesty the queen has done and others, in joining praise for their very
quick response.
And if it wasn't for the speed of response of the police, it could have been a lot more serious than it already is.
ANDERSON: How do lawmakers like yourself avoid the potential for divisiveness across communities? In the wake of the Brexit vote, I think
it's fair to say, that we've seen some pretty divisive rhetoric.
Some people will say the vote with divided the British community more than it brought them together.
Are you concerned about the fallout for Britain from this attack?
PRITCHARD: Well, I think politicians, the media, and those that comment on such things have responsibility to get both the language, the vocabulary
right and the tone right, and insure that we stay a United Kingdom, that we stay a united London. And that's certainly the experience that I've ben in
parliament today, and out and about in Central London. People are determined to show that we continue to be a tolerant city, a multi-faith
city, a city of all faiths, and none, and that's what makes our democracy strong and resolute and resilient even in times like this.
But you read a comment about the whole issue of ISIS, or Islamic State.
ANDERSON: So-called.
PRITCHARD: So-called Islamic State, or Daesh. The fact is that they are in severe retreat. And we pay tribute to all of the armed forces, allies,
United States, United Kingdom, who are fighting alongside the Iraqis and other force to ensure that they are defeated.
ANDERSON: Does an attack like this change British policy towards its involvement in coalition activities?
PRITCHARD: Not at all. You know, we have debates about these things in a democracy and
then we decide what action we ought to take, any military action we might wish to take. So, what I would say is that this attack was being
absolutely tragic, does not weaken London. It does not weaken our democracy, this strengthens London. It strengthens the United Kingdom and
it strengthens our democracy. We stand resolute and resilient against all those, who seek to
undermine our values, our freedoms and our tolerance.
ANDERSON: I appreciate your time today. Thank you.
World news headlines are just ahead. Plus, more on the investigation into this terror attack in
London. The details that we are now learning about the suspect. Do stay with us. Taking a very short break. Back, after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(HEADLINES)
[11:32:41] ANDERSON: Well, back to that shortly. Let's get, though, the very latest on what is
our top story here: the attack in Westminster. CNN's Phil Black live at Scotland Yard. Phil with new details, I believe?
PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, significant new information, Becky. The metropolitan police have just released the name of
the man they believe was responsible for the attack that took place just a short distance from here at parliament yesterday. In a
statement from the met police, they say that he was Khalid Masood, a 52- year-old man born in the UK, in Kent, who is most recently believed to be living in the West
Midlands region of the UK.
They say that Masood was also known by a number of aliases.
He was not the subject of any current investigations they say, nor was there any prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack,
but they go on to confirm what the Prime Minister Theresa May was talking about. This is a man that was certainly known to authorities. He was on
the books. He was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assault, including grievous bodily harm, possession of offensive
weapons, and public order offenses.
He was convicted of offenses. His first offense he was convicted for was back in November 1983 for criminal damage and his most recent conviction
was in December 2003, for possession of a knife.
He has not, they say, been convicted for any terrorism offense.
So police have been very tight-lipped about the name of the man up until now. They say for operational reasons, as they have been carrying out
their investigation, their searches, trying to determine who this man's associates were and to what extent he may have had
support or assistance in carrying out that attack.
They have not said why now is an appropriate reason to release his name. We can only assume that that the operational imperative has passed. But
the information that they have released today does support what the Prime Minister Theresa May told parliament a few hours ago, that is that this man
was known to authorities, that he was investigated previously by MI-5, the security service here, because of
suspected extremist behavior or leanings. But he was not a man that had been on the radar recently.
This is a man who, from what police have told us, has an historical criminal record. But there is simply no information, there was no
intelligence, no information, they say, for this man to be on their radar recently.
No suggestion, nothing to tip them off to the imminent attack that took place here yesterday, Becky.
[11:35:20] ANDERSON: Phil, have they said anything more than about what they know about his whereabouts, his life, since they last investigated?
And what it sounds as if that was some 15 years ago, if it was back at the turn of the century, around 2003, if I heard you correctly.
BLACK: Yeah, that's correct. They have not said anything about his behavior since. And I suspect that's the reason for highlighting these key
dates over his criminal record. The first historic conviction, as I said, it was back in '83. The most recent as you point out, back in 2003. And
apparently they had heard nothing from him since, that's the police.
Now what we don't know, is when MI-5, the security service, last looked at this man, because Theresa May, the prime minister, made the point that they
had looked at him because of concerns about possible extremist thinking or behavior, but we don't know how recent that particular investigation was.
What we have from the police, and the information they have just released here is clearly them
stressing that this was a man with a criminal record, nothing pointing to terrorism and crucially, nothing recent that would give them any cause for
concern in the immediate lead up to what happened here at Westminster, Becky.
ANDERSON: Phil Black is outside Scotland Yard with the very latest information as the police
release the name of the perpetrator, the alleged perpetrator of this attack on Westminster.
Well, Kwasi Kwarteng was among the MPs locked down on Wednesday as the chaos unfolded. He joins me now. Take me back 24 hours ago. This attack
at 2:42 in the afternoon. It's just after 3:30, 24 hours later.
KWASI KWARTENG, BRITISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT: So the big thing in our life is the division bell, which meant that we should vote. And that rang I
think at about 2:3, 2:38. I was in my office. You have eight minutes to get down to the division lobby. And I was walking down towards the division lobby from my office
when I was told that the palace, the estate, was in lockdown, the Houses of Parliament. There had been an incident. There had
been an armed incident, we were told.
And at that time, we didn't know whether there was firearms involved. We had been told that someone had been shot. We didn't know whether it was
the attacker, the assailant, or whether the police, in fact - the authorities were...
ANDERSON: How would you describe reaction?
KWARTENG: I think it was shock. I think there was a degree of bewilderment, as you can
imagine, but there was also a sense that we've got to continue doing what we're doing. This was a
fundamental attack against democracy and also the actual view that was expressed was that we had been very lucky that nothing like this had
happened before.
So in a way I think people in a tragic way, people weren't all that surprised that something like this should happen.
ANDRESON: With and alertedness level of severe, clearly this is a country understands the potential for attack.
We've just learned the police have released the name of a 53-year-old British-born man from West Midlands, as I understand it, who was the
attacker, a man who had been under investigation in the past, back in the '80s, for various crimes and as recently as 2003. I use the term recently
relatively loosely there, because it is some 14 years ago. This is a man who at the age of 54 it seems was inspired to create terror.
And therein lies the issue and problem for security forces of course. How do you keep track of people you may have had on your radar in the past, but
aren't a priority today?
KWARTENG: Yes, I mean, this is the first I've heard of it, and that's quite surprising, because you would have thought that they would have had a
more active, more recent engagement with someone like this. And it's very surprising, as you say, that it was 14 years ago.
But I think in terms of the kinds of people who do these sorts of events, I think there is a capability that we have in terms of keeping up to terms
with them. And I think the British secret service, the MI-5, all of that, actually does a very good job generally, they're very well regarded. And I
think I'm not surprised that they knew a little bit about him, obviously not enough to prevent this.
But I think we shouldn't beat up the services.
[11:40:12] ANDERSON: We know that ISIS are on the back foot in Iraq and there is a view that Raqqa, its heart as it were, of its self-proclaimed
so-called caliphate will be the next focus for coalition forces to try to get rid of this scourge.
It is also, we know, a group with a presence in Libya. I know that as a British lawmaker you've taken an interest in what's going on there. There
will be many people in the part of the world that I live in and broadcast this show from, who say it is the result of the west's
actions or inactions, in various parts of the Middle East that has allowed for the scourge that is ISIS today. What do you say to that?
KWARTENG: I think people are right to say that. But on the other hand, I would say in the defense of the British government, the U.S. government,
they're damned if they do and they're damned if they don't. If we intervene as we did in Libya, that becomes a problem. If we don't
intervene, as we refrained from intervening in Syria, people criticized us for that. So
it's a very difficult line to tread.
I, myself, have been in Libya in the last two weeks. I think the situation there is deplorable. We don't have a central government. We don't have a
unified government for that country. And in that vacuum, there are lots of militias, there are al Qaeda elements, there is also ISIS as you mentioned.
So we need a stable and strong government in Libya as quickly as possible.
ANDERSON: What happens next in the UK? How concerned are you, and I've been asking our guests over the past couple of hours, this same question,
how concerned are you that an event like this will once again drive a wedge, between communities.
We've seen such divisive rhetoric during the Brexit campaign and beyond. And as we look forward to, or we look towards, the divorce that is Britain
from the EU, we continue to hear this sort of divisive rhetoric.
KWARTENG: I didn't hear any divisive rhetoric.
ANDERSON: We did.
KWARTENG: from the prime minister. I think she hit exactly the right note. The home secretary as well spoke very well about British values and
the fact that democracy will continue in Britain.
We have values that we hold dear and we will stick to them.
Now that language is not divisive. In fact, on the contrary, I'd say that people have been brought together.
My constituency is just outside London. I've been in London yesterday. And I was struck by the fact that lots of people from different
communities, different ethnic backgrounds, different religious faiths, have come together and have said we are not going to be defeated or cowed by
terrorism.
In fact, our own mayor, Sadiq Khan, who is of Muslim - practicing Muslim background, has said that we will not be cowed by the terrorism.
So, on the contrary, I think this is bringing people together. I don't think we're seeing the divisive rhetoric certainly from mainstream
politicians, maybe one or two people on the extremes will try and exploit those divisions. But I'm actually very heartened and struck by the fact
that people are coming together in a show of solidarity, and a show of strength.
ANDERSON: With that, we'll leave it there. We thank you very much indeed for joining us.
KWARTENG: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Well, this attack was shocking, but unfortunately not unique. There have been several recent attacks, of course, where vehicles were used
as weapons. On Bastille Day last July, a man inspired by ISIS plowed a large truck through crowds celebrating in Nice, France. He killed 85
people and wounded more than 200.
Well, last November, a student in the U.S. also inspired by ISIS, drove into a crowd at Ohio State University, and then attacked people with a
knife. A police officer shot and killed him.
Well, just a few weeks later, a Tunisian man who pledged allegiance to ISIS drove a stolen truck into a Berlin Christmas market. He killed 12 people
and wounded dozens.
And in January, a man drove a truck into a group of soldiers in Jerusalem killing four people.
Well you can keep track of developments out of London by heading to our website, where we are keeping a live blog of events, as they unfold,
including the latest on the investigation here, that is CNN.com.
Live from London, this is Connect the World. I'm Becky Anderson, stay with us as we continue to follow developments on the terror attack here. We'll
have the very latest update on the investigation as police here in the UK name the perpetrator of what was such a brutal attack Wednesday here in
London.
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[11:47:14] ANDERSON: Wednesday's assault in London, the attack, killed three people and wounded dozens more, including three French high school
students, five South Koreans and an Australian.
The victims also hail from Romania, from Germany, from Poland, from Ireland, China, Italy and Greece.
12 Britains were also injured when the attacker drove into a crowd on Westminster Bridge.
We are live from London as more details emerge of what exactly happened just over 24 hours ago in this, the British capital.
You're watching CNN, this is Connect the World, with me, Becky Anderson. Welcome back.
Here's what we know about the investigation. Police say the attacker was Khalid Masood. He was 52-years-old and British-born. Earlier, police
arrested eight people in raids across the UK in connection with the assault and a news agency linked to ISIS says the attacker was a soldier of ISIS who had been inspired by the terror group's
message.
But so far, ISIS has not provided any evidence of direct links to the assailant.
Well, British Prime Minister Theresa May says the perpetrator was born in the UK and had been under investigation by security services. CNN's Phil
Black is live at Scotland Yard - Phil.
BLACK: Yeah, Becky, so it was only just in the last few moments that we learned a little more from police about the man who killed three people and
hurt so many here yesterday.
As you say, Khalid Masood, a 52-year-old man has been identified by the police as the person they believe who was responsible for driving that
vehicle, crashing it into the parliament gate and then attacking, stabbing and killing a police officer. They say he was born in Kent, but most
recently, they believe, lived in the West Midlands. The West Midlands is significant, because that's where the city of
Birmingham is. And we know that there have been police operations and property searches in the city of Birmingham overnight.
The police stress this man was not the subject of a current investigation and there was no information or intelligence suggesting that he was about
to carryout that attack.
They have, however, released the historic information they have on him. This is a man who was known to police, a man with a criminal record, a
record that paints him as not just a frequent criminal, if you like, but a violent criminal as well.
The details they have told us about say that he had convictions for assaults, including grievous
bodily harm, possession of offensive weapons and public order offenses.
That criminal record stretches between 1983 and 2003, 2003 being the most recent conviction for possession of a knife. Nothing since then, they tell
us about, he was not convicted of any terrorist offenses, they stress.
So, they're making the point that this is a man who certainly shown up on the police radar, someone who had a violent criminal record, but as we've
heard from the police now as we've heard from the prime minister earlier, this was not someone who had given any recent indication that he
was about to carry out an attack as horrendous as this.
What we don't know is just how the police experiences with this man marry up with what we've been told about the MI-5 investigation into possible
concerns about his extremist behavior or beliefs.
The prime minister told the parliament earlier today that MI-5 had looked at this man, but it was some years ago, because of concerns about
extremism, but he was determined to be a peripheral figure. He was not the subject of any recent investigation, they say.
So, what we have learned from the police is that the last time they had any dealings with him was back in 2003. We don't know just how recent the MI-5
investigation was.
But what we have now is this crucial piece of information from the police. They have identified the man they believe was responsible for this
horrendous attack, Khalid Masood, a 52-year-old man, they believe most recently living in the West Midlands of the United Kingdom, Becky.
ANDRSON: And what, briefly do we know of any links with this man to the arrests and raids in Birmingham overnight?
BLACK: The police have not revealed that information yet. What we know is the police have been very tight-lipped and reluctant to release this man's
identity right up until this point. They have stressed operational reasons, not wanting to tip people off. Thye didn't want that name in the
public domain. The fact that they have now released that name suggests that that operational need or necessity has passed.
What police are investigating is the degree to which this man received help or support in
carrying out this operation.
We know there are eight people in custody. We don't know why. We have not been told of any charges yet being placed against these people. But
presumably, these are people who had some dealings, some knowledge of him, but police have not confirmed that they were in any way directly
connected to the events here yesterday, Becky.
ADNERSON: Phil Black with the very latest from just outside Scotland Yard. Thank you, Phil.
You're watching Connect the World. I'm Becky Anderson for you. Up next, a lot more on Wednesday's deadly terror attack here in London. How Londoners
reacted on social media. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Live from London for you following the fallout of that attack. You're watching CNN. This is Connect the World with me, Becky Anderson,
with a special edition from Westminster, here in London.
With the palace of Westminster, the houses of parliament, both the Commons, and the Lords,
which were back in business today amid shock and grief. People in London have taken to social media to describe what they witnessed. This video was
posted on Twitter showing what is believed to be the attacker's car crashed outside of Westminster, smoke coming from the hood.
Hans Advard Askia (ph) posted this video on Facebook on Wednesday afternoon of his view from the London Eye when the Ferris Wheel that many of you will
know, if you've visited London, an iconic spot these days, was stopped following the incident at the parliament buildings. Some tourists reported
being stranded on the Ferris wheel for hours.
And photos from inside parliament as well. We'll show you more eye witness accounts published on social as they come in.
Well Churchill, Darwin, Shakespeare, Newton, Lenin, Turing, Bowie, Wallace, Nightingale, JK Rowling, to JRR Tolkien, this isle home to all of those
immortal names. For 1,000 years, this country has poured science and culture into the world. All of that has made that possible embodied by
what is this, mother of all parliaments, that sits defiant and proud behind me
right now.
It will not, we will not, no matter where we are and who we are be daunted by terrorism is the view from here. The senseless carnage of violence that
we've seen time and again here in Europe trying to intimidate our ideals simply won't win, ever.
And in the moments of silence to remember the victims, a moment for the loudest reminder.
But our liberties, our freedoms, our dearest values are as undimmed as ever. And that is why right here, right now, London is doing the very best
thing it can, going on as normal, in honor of the people who lost lives.
We live ours.
Now before we leave you, be sure to make your way to our Facebook page for updates on this tragedy as we continue our extensive coverage, that's
Facebook.com/CNNconnect. I will be back with you for another hour of coverage after this short break.
END
