COUNTY NEWS: Westminster attacker studied at Sussex university

The Westminster attacker was a former student at the University of Sussex, the university has revealed.
University of SussexUniversity of Sussex
University of Sussex

The Kent-born killer, 52-year-old Khalid Masood, had previously gone by the names of Adrian Elms and Adrian Russell Ajao, the Met Police said.

A University of Sussex spokesperson said: “Last week, we were saddened to learn of the attack in Westminster, London. Since then, it was brought to our attention that the attacker may have studied at the University and we were working to verify this was the case.

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“We are now able to confirm that Adrian Russell Elms studied at the University of Sussex twenty years ago. He undertook a Bachelor of Economics with Economic History from 1994-1997. As we are assisting the Metropolitan Police with its enquiries, it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further.”

Khalid Masood (Photograph: Met Police)Khalid Masood (Photograph: Met Police)
Khalid Masood (Photograph: Met Police)

Masood, who killed four people in an attack in Westminster last week had numerous Sussex connections, it has been revealed.

Police wish to speak to those who knew 52-year-old Khalid Masood, who reportedly had links to Crawley, Eastbourne and Rye.

The Metropolitan Police named Masood as the man responsible for last Wednesday’s 82-second attack outside Parliament, in which three members of the public and policeman Keith Palmer were killed. Masood was shot dead by police.

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Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: “If you knew Khalid Masood and had spoken to him in the months, weeks or days leading up to this attack please come forward.

“We still believe that Masood acted alone on the day and there is no information or intelligence to suggest there are further attacks planned.

“Even if he acted alone in the preparation we need to establish with absolute clarity why he did these unspeakable acts to bring reassurance to Londoners, and to provide answers and closure for the families of those killed and the victims and survivors of this atrocity.”

Anyone with any information about Masood can call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.

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