London terror attack throws plan for renovating parliament into confusion

Atrocities strengthen security case for remaining in part of the building during its refurbishment, peer argues

The Westminster terror attack has strengthened the case for MPs and peers to remain in parliament under one roof during a 4bn restoration, rather than undergo evacuation to different buildings, a former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation has said.

Lord Carlile, who sits as a non-aligned peer in the House of Lords, told the Observer that the security implications and costs of "decanting" all MPs, peers and palace staff to other buildings around Whitehall should make the authorities think again about the wisdom of such a move. The peer said he believed the attack would inevitably have implications for the refurbishment plan, which was due to be debated and voted upon in the House of Commons before Easter.