Westminster terrorist '˜stayed in Brighton the night before attack'

The Metropolitan Police named the attacker as Khalid Masood, and according to Press Association, the 52-year-old man stayed in the Brighton hotel on Tuesday evening (March 21).

This comes after the Metropolitan Police confirmed its counter-terrorism unit raided a property in Brighton in connection with the attack.

Press Association said Massod told staff at the hotel as he checked out that he was he was going to London. He is reported to have said: “It isn’t what it used to be.”

A Met Police spokesperson said Massood was known to police and had a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences.

His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife, the spokesperson said.

Police said he had not been convicted for any terrorism offences.

On Wednesday afternoon (March 22), the attacker drove a car across Westminster Bridge knocking down pedestrians on the pavement, before stabbing a policeman who later died outside of Parliament. He was then shot dead by police officers.

At least five people have died, while several people are in critical condition in hospital, emergency services confirmed.