A DUDLEY MP who was evacuated from Parliament following yesterday’s attack on Westminster, has praised police officers for their “extraordinary” actions.

Labour MP Ian Austin was in Parliament answering emails from constituents when the attacker mowed down pedestrians with his car on Westminster Bridge before smashing it into the railings encircling the Palace of Westminster, 

Armed with two knives, the attacker jumped out of the car and fatally stabbed Pc Keith Palmer as he entered the grounds.

He was shot dead moments later by another officer.

Mr Austin, who was evacuated to a basement before heading over to Westminster Abbey, where he stayed until later that evening, said: “My thoughts are with the brave police officer and his family and the victims on the bridge and their families.

“The police did an extraordinary job and I can't praise them enough.

“We don't yet know all the details but the British Parliament is a symbol of freedom and democracy and the British people have to stand united in opposition to terrorism.”

Dudley South MP Mike Wood, who is working from home while recovering an almost fatal bout of sepsis, said he hoped the family of Pc Palmer could “draw some comfort and pride from the bravery that he showed”.

The Conservative MP continued: “Not only yesterday, in confronting the evil attacker trying to force his way through security, but every day in working to protect our democracy by helping to keep all of us who work in Parliament safe.

“The police officers and security team in Parliament do a remarkable job - many unarmed - in making sure that the heart of our democracy remains accessible to both visitors and those wanting to meet with their representatives, whilst also keeping out those who would do us serious harm.

"The fact that so many officers go unnoticed on a daily basis is just one sign of the effectiveness with which they do their difficult job.

“The Metropolitan Police have lost a brave long-serving officer and Parliament has lost a dedicated servant, but above all PC Palmer's family have lost a loving dad and husband.”

UKIP defence spokesman Bill Etheridge has also spoke of his gratitude to the police officers and security teams who were in the midst of the attack that left four dead and 29 requiring hospital treatment.

Councillor Etheridge, who represents Sedgley and is also a West Midlands MEP, said: “We should never forget the amount of concentration and alertness our security forces maintain to keep us all safe.

“The loss of life could have been so much worse without the actions of these brave men and women.

“My condolences go to those who have lost their lives in this incident and my sympathies are extended to those injured, some of whom have catastrophic life changing injuries.”