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"Shocked and saddened" wife of Khalid Masood condemns Westminster attack

Floral tributes for victims of the Westminster attack (Rex)
Floral tributes for victims of the Westminster attack (Rex)

The wife of Khalid Masood, the man who killed four in a terrorist attack in Westminster last week, has said she “totally condemns” her husband’s actions.

Rohey Hydara said she was “shocked and saddened” by the atrocity that also left 50 injured.

The comments come 24 hours after a statement was released by Masood’s mother, Janet Ajao, who said she had “shed many tears” for her son’s victims.

In a statement released through the Metropolitan Police, Hydara said: “I am saddened and shocked by what Khalid has done. I totally condemn his actions.

“I express my condolences to the families of the victims that have died, and wish a speedy recovery to all the injured.

“I would like to request privacy for our family, especially the children, at this difficult time.”

In the terrorist attack on Wednesday, Masood drove a rented Hyundai 4×4 at speeds of up to 76 mph into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing three and injuring 50.

After crashing the car, the 52-year-old ran into the Palace of Westminster grounds where he fatally stabbed PC Keith Palmer before being shot dead himself.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the senior national coordinator for UK counter-terrorism policing, said Masood, who was born Adrian Ajao, was inspired and influenced by the Isis, but had no formal links to the group.

“His attack method appears to be based on low sophistication, low tech, low cost techniques copied from other attacks, and echo the rhetoric of IS leaders in terms of methodology and attacking police and civilians, but at this stage I have no evidence he discussed this with others,” he said.

Khalid Masood murdered four before being shot down outside the Houses of Parliament (Rex)
Khalid Masood murdered four before being shot down outside the Houses of Parliament (Rex)

He added: “While I have found no evidence of an association with Isis or al Qaeda, there is clearly an interest in jihad.”

In a statement his mother, Janet Ajao, said: “I am so deeply shocked, saddened and numbed by the actions my son has taken that have killed and injured innocent people in Westminster.

“Since discovering that it was my son that was responsible I have shed many tears for the people caught up in this horrendous incident.

“I wish to make it absolutely clear, so there can be no doubt, I do not condone his actions nor support the beliefs he held that led to him committing this atrocity.”