'I'm hiding under a table': Midland MPs describe how Westminster terror attack unfolded

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Gun shots were heard from inside the Houses of Parliament as the attacker, who also mowed down several pedestrians across Westminster Bridge, was taken down by armed offices.

Stourbridge MP Margot James spoke from under a table as police could be heard in the background shouting at people to keep back.

Whispering, she said: "I have just come out of the library and then a police officer has just told me to get back.

"I've gone into a room near to the library which is a members only room and I'm hiding under a table.

"I think I'm safe here but there is a lot of shouting outside.

"They obviously have somebody under surveillance. I am worried about the people outside. It is absolute mayhem."

Before that Ms James had come out of the chamber for a vote, and had made her way to the library along with other MPs.

She said: "I had just finished voting and I was in the library. I realised something was wrong when my friend came in and said someone had been shot.

"I was very shocked and when I looked out the window of the library I could see stationary vehicles on Westminster bridge including three ambulances."

MP for Lichfield Michael Fabricant broke the news via his Twitter account shortly after the incident.

In a series of tweets, he said: "Rumours of shots being fired.

"Major incident in the Palace of Westminster.

"I was walking briskly to a vote when crowds of MPs rushed towards me saying that shots have been fired and shouts of 'get back'.

"I am now hiding in my PA's office watching the news."

Later he added:

This evening he called for a memorial to be created honouring the police officer.

The same scene confronted Dudley North MP Ian Austin.

He said: "I was in the main library in the main building just doing some work. I heard some shouting. I am still in the library and I can see Westminster bridge where there are lots of lights.

"We've been told that we are not allowed to leave. I'm here with other MPs. I've been calling my staff to check they are OK.

"We are relying on the media to find out what's going on as there are lots of conflicting reports.

"I have rung my office staff who are right by Portcullis house to check that they are OK.

"I am thinking of the police because when we are all running away from it they are running towards it."

Adrian Bailey, MP for West Bromwich West, said: "I was walking through to vote in the House of Commons when I heard a bang, a collision type bang, outside and then there was a lot of shouting.

"When I approached the chamber I saw the Prime Minister looking harassed and she was surrounded by four of five bodyguards who were ushering her out. I thought it was strange.

"I went into the chamber and I was told they were 'locking up' as there had been an incident outside."

Gavin Williamson, the Government's chief whip and MP for South Staffordshire, said: "At the time I was in the House of Commons and had called for the Prime Minister to be brought down.

"She was whisked off to a place of safety obviously and then we were told that the House of Commons was in lockdown, all of the doors were being locked and we were being kept in one room while police searched to see if any terrorists had made their way into the building."

Stone MP Sir Bill Cash said: "I was in the House of Commons at the time, the news came through and I have to say that everyone remained calm and orderly.

"We were quickly exchanging what information we had with one another but everyone was aware that was a very serious incident and knew what procedures we had to follow.

"I went to my room and watched the news unfold on the television from there."

Rob Marris, MP for Wolverhampton South West, said: "There are TV screens all over Parliament and I saw that the screen was showing 'Sitting Suspended' which I thought was odd.

"This happens sometimes when its an English vote but MPs were voting on the Pensions Bill which affects the whole of the UK, so it didn't make sense.

"Then my researcher Imogen came in to tell me what had happened."

John Spellar, MP for Warley, said: "I heard there was an incident in which a police incident was stabbed and shots fired by protection forces.

"The doors were closed and there were a couple of statements from the deputy speaker."

James Morris, MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis - was in the members' voting lobby

"I was voting. Division was going on the in the chamber when the incident happened. The chamber went into lockdown.

"A couple of colleagues were witnesses to the shooting."

"It is quite shocking. It's a slightly unreal feeling."

Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest, said: "I was just about to vote then people came in and said 'what's going on?'

"Now they are doing a sweep of the palace. There are quite a lot of (police officers) wondering around the corridors with machine guns and masks on.

"I am reassured by the security.

"There are very professional and brave people trying to protect us."

David Winnick, MP for Walsall North, said: "We know we're in a position where terrorism will never give up. We know the dangers of terrorism so this doesn't come as a surprise."