Conservative MP Lizzy Buchan has shared her chilling firsthand account of the 2017 Westminster terror attack, describing the moment she heard gunshots echo through the corridors of power and realised she was in mortal danger.
The journalist-turned-politician was working in her parliamentary office when she heard the distinctive sound of gunfire, initially mistaking it for construction noise before the terrifying reality dawned.
The Moment Terror Struck
"I looked towards the window and saw people running," Buchan recalled. "There was a moment of confusion before the chilling realisation set in - this was a terror attack unfolding around us."
As armed police swarmed the parliamentary estate shouting "get back, get back," Buchan and her colleagues faced a harrowing decision: whether to shelter in place or attempt to escape the building.
A Desperate Escape
"We were told to get away from the windows and doors," she recounted. "The atmosphere was thick with fear and uncertainty as we tried to comprehend what was happening just metres away from where we worked."
The MP described the surreal experience of being evacuated through the underground tunnel system that connects Parliament to other government buildings, unsure if they were moving toward safety or further danger.
Aftermath and Reflection
Five people lost their lives in the attack perpetrated by Khalid Masood, including police officer Keith Palmer who was stabbed to death while protecting the parliamentary estate.
Buchan's testimony comes as Parliament continues to review and strengthen its security protocols, ensuring that those who work within its historic walls are protected from future threats.
The MP emphasised the importance of remaining vigilant while maintaining Parliament's role as a symbol of democracy accessible to the public.
