THE MP for Burnham-on-Sea has paid tribute to a police officer who lost his life after a 'terrorist attack' in London. 

Keith Palmer, 48 was fatally stabbed yesterday (March 22) outside the Houses of Parliament after an attacker, who has not yet been named brought chaos to the streets of London, mowing down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing five people and injuring more than 40. 

James Heappey, MP for Burnham-on-Sea was in the House of Commons when the horrific attack unfolded and said he is 'grateful' to the police who protect Parliament in Westminster.

Mr Heappey said:"People don't always agree with everything we do in Parliament each day.

"That's politics.

"But our freedom to speak our minds freely in the House of Commons on behalf of our constituents is the cornerstone of our nation's great democracy.

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"An attack on Parliament is not an attack on the bricks and mortar of the Palace of Westminster nor is it an attack on the MPs working inside, it is an attack against our freedom and against our country.

"Those of us who work in Parliament each day will breeze through the security every morning and all too often won't notice the police and security staff that are there to protect us whilst we work.

"Today (March 22) a policeman stood his ground to stop an attacker getting into Parliament.

"He lost his life doing so.

"Eventually we were all able to go home this evening. He won't.

"In the coming days we'll find out who he was.

"My heart goes out to his family, friends and colleagues.

"It will be no consolation to them whatsoever but he died protecting our Parliament and therefore our democracy and our great country.

"I am so grateful to him and all of those who protect us in Westminster for doing so."