Memorial Stone Plans Submitted For Murdered Police Officer

PC Keith Palmer (Picture: PA).

Proposals for a permanent memorial honouring an ex-Army police officer who was killed in last year's Westminster terror attack have been submitted.

PC Keith Palmer was stabbed to death by a lone knifeman as he stood guard at one of the entrances to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster on 22 March 2017.

PC Palmer held the rank of Bombardier after joining the Royal Artillery in August 1987. He later left the Army at his own request in August 2001.

The former Bombardier was then part of 100 Regiment Royal Artillery as a reservist.

Unarmed PC Palmer was hailed a hero for his actions and was awarded a posthumous bravery medal by the Queen for confronting attacker Khalid Masood, when he rushed through the gates after mowing down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

The Police Memorial Trust is seeking planning permission for a memorial stone outside the Palace of Westminster next to the Carriage Gates entrance where PC Keith Palmer was murdered.

The Trust said: "This application for a memorial has the full support of the officer's family, the Palace of Westminster, the Metropolitan Police, his friends and colleagues.

"The Trust has been working closely with Westminster council planning officers to provide a bespoke memorial which will complement the grade one listed structure.

"The Trust is aware of the 10-year rule upon death before a statue or memorial can be placed in this location and asks that this rule be relaxed after due consideration by the council, in these very special circumstances, this being a fitting but discreetly sized and placed memorial.

"The widow of the officer has a young daughter and is very keen to move forward after such a tragedy.

"The Police Memorial Trust asks on her behalf that this be completed within this year so they can begin the process of rebuilding their lives without him."

Conservative MP James Cleverly, who served alongside PC Palmer in the Army, said: "There's such complete support for this.

"It's really lovely to see that on an issue like this there has been so much support from people both involved in politics and those who are not involved in politics.

"I hope it moves ahead quickly."

Westminster City Council has set October 3 as a target date for a decision.