Khalid Masood named by London police as man behind terror attack

THE man behind the horrific terrorist attack in London has been named as a “fitness freak” and father of three who had been investigated by MI5.

Khalid Masood is treated by emergency services outside the Houses of Parliament London. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP, File.

THE terrorist police believe is behind the London attacks has been named as Khalid Masood, 52.

The Kent man was born on Christmas Day and known by several aliases including Khalid Choudry.

Choudry is now believed to be responsible for four deaths, after another victim of the Westminster Bridge attack had their life support switched off this morning.

He has been described as a “fitness freak” who was obsessed with bodybuilding and a married father of three by Sky News. The Muslim convert has previously worked as an English teacher.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May said he had been under surveillance in the past but was a “peripheral figure” and was not suspected of plotting any specific attacks.

Police said he has not been convicted for any terror offences before but had a long criminal history.

“He was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences,” a Met Police spokesman said.

“His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife.”

The scene of carnage was created by one man in a rental car who had been investigated by police in the past, but wasn’t being watched for any specific threats. Picture: AFP PHOTO / ITN / HO

A general view of the house in Quayside where Khalid Masood lived, in Birmingham England, Thursday, March 23, 2017. Picture: AP

Earlier on Thursday police raided six homes in London, Birmingham and elsewhere in the country in connection with the attack.

It also emerged the grey car used to mow into pedestrians was from a rental firm in Birmingham.

Company Enterprise said in a statement: “We can confirm that the car used in the tragic attack in London yesterday afternoon was one of ours.

“An employee identified the vehicle after seeing the licence plate in an image online. We ran another check to verify, and immediately contacted the authorities.

“We are co-operating fully with the authorities and will provide any assistance that we can to the investigation.

“Our thoughts are very much with the victims of this terrible tragedy.”

Hundreds of detectives worked through the night leading to raids on six properties and eight arrests. This flat above a restaurant in Birmingham was searched. Picture: AP Photo.