MPs to fall silent for victims of Wesminster terror attack

A large area around the Palace of Westminster, including Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge, remained cordoned off on Thursday morning but staff were able to access the building and return to work.

The House of Commons will sit after prayers at 9.30am, with the minute's silence expected to follow, and then questions to Liam Fox and ministers from his Department for International Trade.

Two people in overalls and masks were seen sorting through material near the area in New Palace Yard where the attacker was shot and Pc Keith Palmer stabbed, and an area in the courtyard remained cordoned off.

The popular Terrace cafeteria was open and serving a hot breakfast as normal as MPs, peers and staff arrived for work.

The Union flag was flying at half-mast over the Houses of Parliament and other nearby buildings.

Prime Minister Theresa May will lead a show of defiance in the wake of the attack, which left four people dead including the terrorist, and many others injured, by giving a statement to MPs in the Commons at 10.30am.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said Westminster was a sombre place in the wake of the loss of a member of the parliamentary family.

"The mood in Parliament will be pretty sombre," Sir Michael told the BBC.

"We've lost one of our own parliamentary police officers, who we talk to every morning going in and out of Parliament, and who gave his life to protect Parliament.

"It will be sombre, but I think you will also find determination.

"This was an attack on Parliament for a reason.

"We come together in Parliament to discuss very sharp differences, but we do so respectfully and we do so together.

"That's not what terrorists believe in, that's not what they want.

"It's no accident that this was an attack on Parliament, and I think you will find a very real determination and solidarity that we reinforce the values that keep us together."