'˜This was an attack on our very way of life'

Former Portsmouth Labour leader, Cllr John Ferrett was close to Westminster Bridge when a terrorist ran over pedestrians on the walkway before launching an assault on the House of Parliament.

Cllr Ferrett, who is a negotiations officer for Prospect union, was at the organisation’s HQ in York Road.

He was forced to stay in the office while armed police flooded into the city’s centre.

Speaking to The News, the independent Paulsgrove councillor, condemned the attack and paid tribute to those injured.

He said: ‘This is an attack on our freedom, on what we stand for and the way we live our lives. It’s truly shocking what’s happened. I just hope that those who are injured are able to recover.’

Cllr Ferrett said yesterday’s attack could affect the public’s right to visit the House of Commons.

He urged the government to take a measured response to the incident, adding: ‘The incident may well lead to there being more security and less accessibility in terms of parliament.

‘That’s clearly not good. One of the things that we value – and will continue to value – is our freedom to move around, unhindered.

‘No terrorist should be able to take away that freedom.’