Certainly there were, as always, armed officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection branch on duty inside the complex that night. the armed officers were not aware of a requirement to remain in close proximity to the gates. Sitting in a car inside the palace gates, Sir Craig watched as PC Palmer, 48, was stabbed to death only yards away. Shortly before his attack, Masood sent a text claiming his actions were revenge for Western military intervention in Muslim countries. Each had a static post, to which a pair of armed officers was assigned to stand guard or patrol along with their unarmed colleagues.

Source: Daily Mail May 01, 2020 21:13 UTC