The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is facing legal action over the tragic death of PC Keith Palmer who was killed during the Westminster terror attack.
Khalid Masood stabbed PC Palmer during a frenzied attack on 22nd March 2017. Masood had run over pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before crashing his car and launching an attack on PC Palmer.
Masood was shot dead by a close protection officer who was in the vicinity at the time of the attack on PC Palmer.
The BBC reported that in a statement, a spokesperson for the Met Police said that it had received “a letter of claim in relation to the death of PC Palmer”.
However, PC Palmer’s widow, Michelle Palmer, said that she felt “let down” by Scotland Yard for making it public.
She said: “It was always of paramount importance that this matter remained private, out of respect for me, my daughter and Keith.
“I am disappointed that the Met have made it public that a claim is being brought.
“Once more, I feel disappointed and let down.”
An inquest held in October 2018 concluded that the death of PC Palmer could have been prevented had armed officers been nearby.
The inquest also heard how PC Palmer only had “a spray and a baton” to protect himself from the threat posed by Masood.
Masood also murdered four members of the public during the attack.
The inquest heard how the policy of having static armed police on the gate had been changed to having roving patrols around the area instead and that had armed officers been stationed on a static point, then they may have prevented Masood from inflicting fatal injuries upon PC Palmer.
Speaking after the inquest, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu apologised on behalf of the Metropolitan Police and said the lost chance to save a “brave and courageous officer” was “unacceptable”.
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Not sure why the widow thinks this should be kept private. To keep it private would be hiding it from the public, and I cannot see a reason for that.
It will be taxpayers money so the public have a right to know.