UK attacker was Muslim convert with violent past

LONDON: The man who launched a terror attack on UK Parliament has been identified by police as 52-year-old former convict Adrian Russell Ajao who acquired the name Khalid Masood upon conversion to Islam.

Scotland Yard acting deputy commissioner and counter-terrorism chief Mark Rowley on Friday revealed that the “fast-paced” counter-terrorism operation to establish Masood’s “motivation, preparation and his associates” has been titled Operation Classific. In his appeal to the public, he said: “We remain keen to hear from anyone who knew Khalid Masood well; understands who his associates were; and can provide with information about places he has recently visited.

“There might well be people out there who did have concerns about Masood but weren’t sure or didn’t feel comfortable for whatever reason in passing information to us.”