British Prime Minister Theresa May has told the House of Commons that Parliament was sending out the message following yesterday's terror attack: "We will never waver in the face of terrorism."
She addressed MPs as they gathered at the usual time inside the Palace of Westminster, which a day before had come under attack from a knife-wielding terrorist.
This afternoon, police named the man who who carried out the attack as 52-year-old Khalid Masood. Masood was known to police but was not the subject of any current investigations.
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An hour after MPs had stood for a minute's silence in honour of the innocent people killed in the attack, Mrs May delivered a statement with details of the atrocity.
Paying tribute to PC Keith Palmer, who died after being stabbed, she said: "He was every inch a hero and his actions will never be forgotten."
Mrs May said the attacker had been identified as someone known by police and MI5, and the working assumption was that he was inspired by Islamist terrorism.
Mrs May told MPs: "Yesterday an act of terrorism tried to silence our democracy, but today we meet as normal, as generations have done before us and as future generations will continue to do, to deliver a simple message: 'We are not afraid and our resolve will never waver in the face of terrorism'."
She said it was still believed that the attacker acted alone and there was "no reason to believe" further attacks on the public were planned.
She added: "His identity is known to the police and MI5 and when operational considerations allow, he will be publicly identified.
"What I can confirm is that the man was British-born and that some years ago he was once investigated by MI5 in relation to concerns about violent extremism.
"He was a peripheral figure. The case is historic. He was not part of the current intelligence picture. There was no prior intelligence of his intent or of the plot."
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Mrs May said it was an attack on free people all over the world as she thanked global allies including US President Donald Trump for their support.
"We meet here in the oldest of all parliaments because we know that democracy and the values it entails will always prevail," she said.
Those values - free speech, liberty, human rights, and the rule of law - are embodied here in this place but they are shared by free people around the world.
"A terrorist came to the place where people of all nationalities and cultures gather to celebrate what it means to be free.
"And he took out his rage indiscriminately against innocent men, women and children.
This was an attack on free people everywhere, and on behalf of the British people I would like to thank our friends and allies around the world who have made it clear that they stand with us at this time.
Mrs May said that what happened on the streets of Westminster had "sickened us all".
She described how events unfolded, telling MPs that the attacker drove his vehicle at speed into innocent pedestrians on Westminster Bridge at around 14.40, killing two people and injuring around 40.
The victims admitted to hospital included 12 Britons, three French children, two Romanians, four South Koreans, one German, one Pole, one Irish, one Chinese, one Italian, one American and two Greeks.
Mrs May said the government was in close contact with counterparts in all the countries affected.
She said the victims also included three police officers who were returning from an event to recognise their bravery.
"Two of those three remain in a serious condition," she added.
Concluding her statement, Mrs May said that by continuing with life as normal, Londoners and Britons were sending a message to the terrorists that they will not win.
She said: "The greatest response lies not in the words of politicians, but in the every day actions of ordinary people. For beyond these walls today, in scenes repeated in towns and cities across the country, millions of people are going about their days and getting on with their lives.
"The streets are as busy as ever, the offices full, the coffee shops and cafes bustling.
"As I speak, millions will be boarding planes and aeroplanes to travel to London and to see for themselves the greatest city on Earth.
"It is in these actions - millions of acts of normality - that we find the best response to terrorism.
"A response that denies our enemies their victory, that refuses to let them win, that shows we will never give in.
"A response driven by that same spirit that drove a husband and father to put himself between us and our attacker and to pay the ultimate price.
"A response that says to the men and women who propagate this hate and evil 'You will not defeat us'.
"Mr Speaker, let this be the message from this House and this nation today. Our values will prevail."
Taoiseach offers sympathy to British people
The Taoiseach has spoken to Mrs May following the horrific attack in London, offering the sympathy of the Irish Government to the British people.
Enda Kenny also offered any assistance that may be required.
During their conversation the two leaders also spoke about the ongoing negotiations in Stormont towards the re-establishment of power-sharing in Northern Ireland.
The call lasted approximately ten minutes
Police praised for bravery
Incoming Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick has praised the bravery of officers involved in the Westminster attack yesterday.
In a message to staff Ms Dick, who takes up the job next month, described yesterday as a "tragic day for London and the Met".
Seven people have been arrested in raids in London, Birmingham and elsewhere linked to the attack.
Ms Dick, who visited New Scotland Yard last night, said: "One of our officers died protecting the public and Parliament. We will never forget his courage.
"My deepest sympathy is with his family and with the loved ones of everyone who lost their lives.
"My thoughts too are with the members of the public and our officers who were injured as well as those people affected by these appalling events.
"As many Parliamentarians have noted, our officers ran towards danger to do their jobs. We are indebted to their bravery.
"Officers and staff from the Metropolitan Police are working as hard as we can to protect the public and our capital city. I am grateful for all their efforts."
