Following the tragic incidents at Westminster on Wednesday 22nd March, Cllr Richard Watts, Leader of Islington Council, made the following statement – 

Yesterday, an act of horrific barbarism came to the streets of London once again.

It came to shake us. It came to divide us. It came to break us.  

But it shall achieve none of these things.  

On behalf of Islington Council and Islington Labour, I send our heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of those who lost their lives in and around Parliament. The Town Hall is flying the Union Jack at half-mast today in a sign of respect for the victims, and observed a minute’s silence at 9.33am to coincide with the start of the Parliamentary day.  

I would like to place on the record my immeasurable thanks to the emergency services personnel who ran towards the chaos and danger that was brought to Westminster on Wednesday. We are fortunate to have so many who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us in our daily lives. PC Keith Palmer did just that, and undoubtedly saved the lives of others in doing so.  

I would also like to thank our local police and council emergency teams for their response to these tragic events, which ensured that calm and vigilance were brought to our borough swiftly.  

In the coming days there will be much discussion and conjecture regarding the events of yesterday. I ask that we remember that the actions of one person do not represent anyone but themselves.

Islington’s strength comes from our diversity, acceptance and shared values. We must never allow the cowardly actions of those who seek to sow hatred and suspicion to divide us.