Westminster attack Pc Keith Palmer posthumously awarded bravery medal by Queen

The policeman who was killed after confronting the Westminster attacker outside Parliament has been posthumously awarded a bravery medal.

Pc Keith Palmer died after being stabbed by Khalid Masood during the terror attack on March 22.

He has received the George Medal for bravery for confronting the armed terrorist to protect others and Parliament.

Four other people - Andreea Cristea, 31, Leslie Rhodes, 75, Kurt Cochran, 54, and Aysha Frade, 44 - were killed and dozens of others injured in the attack, which ended with Masood being shot dead.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said she and her colleagues were "immensely proud" of Pc Palmer's bravery.

Paying tribute, she said: "Keith acted that day with no thought for his own safety, intent simply on doing his job and protecting members of the public and Parliament. He paid the ultimate price for his selfless actions."

"I know that I speak on behalf of all of my officers and staff when I say how immensely proud we all are that PC Palmer is to receive posthumously the George Medal for bravery.

"It is an honour that could not be more deserved and I know it will mean a great deal to all those who knew and loved him."

Thousands of officers lined London's streets for Pc Palmer's funeral. Credit: PA

Bernard Kenny, who was stabbed in the abdomen, as he tried to stop a far-right extremist attacking Labour MP Jo Cox, is also included on the Queen's Civilian Gallantry List.

He also receives the George Medal, one year on from Mrs Cox's murder.

Two West Yorkshire Police officers, Pc Craig Nicholls and Pc Jonathan Wright, who arrested Thomas Mair after his attack on Mrs Cox, are also awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal.

The MP's widower, Brendan Cox, said the pensioner who tried to help his wife and the two police officers who arrested her attacker "represent the best of our country".

Speaking a day after the anniversary of his wife's killing, Mr Cox said this is moment to focus on the "heroism, the kindness, the bravery" of all those who were honoured by the Queen rather than "evil, deranged individuals who commit heinous acts of evil and cowardice".

Speaking at a Great Get Together event in Heckmondwike, Brendan Cox said: "It's a great gesture, I think, from the Queen to honour these people who have been incredibly brave in different ways.

"Sandra, who worked with Jo for a long time before, the two policemen who put their lives on the line and Bernard Kenny who was obviously injured.

"These people - and not just those people, actually, but the people who were remembered in those honours lists - they represent who our country is. They represent the best of our country.

"We spend a lot of time focusing on those evil, deranged individuals who commit heinous acts of evil and cowardice.

"And I think a moment like this, not just around the Queen's birthday honours - but moments when we fixate on the heroism, the kindness, the bravery, I think is, again, what the country needs."

Bernard Kenny has also been recognised for his bravery. Credit: PA

Ms Cox's senior caseworker, Sandra Major, who was with the MP when she was murdered, receives an MBE for parliamentary services and service to the community in Batley and Spen.

Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered by right-wing extremist Thomas Mair in 2016. Credit: PA

In a break with tradition, the Queen's Civilian Gallantry List has been released at the same time as the monarch's birthday honours.