LONDON // The man who killed three people when he launched a deadly attack on the British parliament was born in Britain and known to the intelligence services, prime minister Theresa May said on Thursday.
Britain's parliament reopened on Thursday with a minute's silence in memory of three victims killed in a suspected "Islamist-related" attack on the symbol of the country's democracy.
"We are not afraid and our resolve will never waver in the face of terrorism," said Mrs May defiantly.
"What I can confirm is that the man was British-born and that some years ago he was once investigated by MI5 in relation to concerns about violent extremism," she told lawmakers.
"He was a peripheral figure," she added. "The case is historic, he was not part of the current intelligence picture."
She said there had been no prior intelligence of his intent nor of the plot.
"When operational considerations allow, he will be publicly identified," she added.
With lawmakers projecting an air of "business as usual," armed police arrested eight people in raids linked to Wednesday's deadly assault carried out in the shadow of Big Ben that sowed panic in the heart of London.
Around 30 people were treated in hospital, including seven in critical condition, some with "catastrophic" injuries after the attacker mowed down pedestrians on a nearby bridge before stabbing a policeman at the parliament gates.
As MPs resumed business, police officers lined up outside their Scotland Yard headquarters nearby for a minute's silence in front of the eternal flame to those officers who have given their lives in service.
Britain had until Wednesday's attack been spared amid a series of deadly extremist assaults in Europe.
The attack in London came a year to the day after ISIL extremists killed 32 people in twin bomb attacks in Brussels.
Police have arrested eight people in the investigation into the lone attacker who killed three people including a policeman and injured 40 before being shot dead as he tried to enter parliament.
Britain's top anti-terror officer Mark Rowley said police had raided six houses in London, the central city of Birmingham and elsewhere.
"It is still our belief ... that this attacker acted alone yesterday and was inspired by international terrorism," he said.
Mr Rowley acknowledged Muslim communities "will feel anxious at this time" due to previous extreme right-wing attacks and that the police would work with community leaders to ensure protection.
Andrew Parker, director general of the MI5 domestic intelligence service, earlier said his agency's operational response had been fully mobilised in support of the police.
"We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our police colleagues, grieving at their loss while also applauding the professional excellence of their response," he said.
* Reuters and Agence France-Presse
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