Charles Clarke Statement in House

As the House will know there has this morning been a number of terrorist attacks in central London.

The situation is developing and I am not yet in a position to give a conclusive account of all that has happened, but I wanted to keep the House as fully informed as possible.

I want to begin by expressing on behalf of the whole country our sympathy for those injured and the friends and families of those who have died or been injured. I am not in a position at this time to give precise details but I can at this time say that four explosions have been confirmed.

First, on a tube train between Aldgate East and Liverpool Street; second, on a bus in

Woburn Place; third, on a tube train between Russell Sq and Kings Cross and fourth on a tube train at
Edgware Road station. As yet we do not know who or which organisations are responsible for these criminal and appalling acts.

Of course, our first responsibility is to protect and support the public at this time. The Metropolitan Police are in operational command, using well established and tested procedures. The health services are providing first class care and support.

On transport - the underground is closed and will remain so for some time. It will certainly be closed today.

There are no buses in central London. Transport for London will decide when to resume services later today.

Over ground services are subject to substantial delays. Most stations are open, but some are closed. Network Rail will try and re-open them as soon as they can.

Airports are operating normally.

People are strongly advised not to travel in to central London as the emergency services must be allowed to do their work in the most effective way they can.

The Cabinet was informed this morning and since then I have chaired COBR meetings to ensure that the whole Government commitment is properly co-ordinated and any necessary support is provided. The PM is returning to London from Gleneagles to chair a COBR meeting later today.

I will continue to keep the House fully informed.