THE MP for Torfaen has paid tribute to the officers of the emergency services following last week’s terrorist attack at Westminster.

On Wednesday, March 22, three members of the public were killed and 50 were injured when Khalid Masood mowed down pedestrians with a car while driving along Westminster Bridge.

He also stabbed and killed PC Keith Palmer before the attacker was shot by police officers at the Houses of Parliament while MPs were in session.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those innocent people who have lost their lives,” said Nick Thomas-Symonds.

“The attack on people doing nothing more than walking on Westminster Bridge and on Parliament itself was senseless and sickening.”

The Torfaen member, who was elected at the last general election in 2015 was not present at the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday due to a prior medical appointment in Cardiff with his son.

However, the MP tweeted that his staff were safe in the immediate aftermath of the attack, when Parliament was locked down.

“The police officers at Westminster have always been incredibly friendly and helpful to me since I was elected in May 2015,” added Mr Thomas-Symonds.

“It is heart-breaking that an officer has lost his life by putting himself in harm's way to keep all those thousands of people who work on the parliamentary estate safe.”

The Torfaen MP paid tribute to PC Palmer and to the Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood, who performed CPR and attempted to resuscitate the police officer.

“He died a true hero, and I also pay great tribute to the courageous action of Tobias Ellwood MP who did all he could to save him,” said Mr Thomas-Symonds.

“We are so lucky to have such incredible, dedicated public servants - the police and all the other emergency service workers responded quickly and bravely to tend to all those who have been injured.

“They are a credit to our nation.”

The Torfaen MP added: “It is the privilege of my life to serve our country's democracy.

“The Palace of Westminster is the ultimate symbol of that democracy and of the values that bind us together: liberty and the rule of law.

“Those who attack our democracy and our way of life will never prevail."