(JollofNews) – A Gambian woman whose husband, Khalid Masood, carried out last week’s deadly terror attack outside Westminster has said she is “saddened and shocked” by the atrocity of his actions.
Rohey Hydara, 39, who was arrested was on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts but later released pending further inquiries said she totally condemns her husband’s actions.
Masood killed four people, including PC Keith Palmer, 48, Aysha Frade and US tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, an a 75-year-old man. At least 50 were injured on Westminster Bridge after Masood drove at people at around 70 miles per hour.
But in a statement released through the Metropolitan police, Ms Hydara said: “I am saddened and shocked by what Khalid has done. I totally condemn his actions. I express my condolences to the families of the victims that have died, and wish a speedy recovery to all the injured.
“I would like to request privacy for our family, especially the children, at this difficult time.”
Hydara was thought to have lived with Masood from about 2010. The couple who met in Luton had lived in at least two separate addresses.
Masood, 52, was born as Adrian Elms in Kent and was shot dead by police. He had not been the subject of any current police investigations.
The so-called Islamic State group has said it was behind the attack.
However, the Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Neil Basu, who is also the senior national coordinator for UK counter-terrorism policing, said there was no evidence Masood had discussed the planning of his attack with others.
In a statement on Monday, the Metropolitan Police said it had “no evidence” he discussed the attack with others, despite reports suggesting that the killer was sending messages on WhatsApp just minutes before he mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge.
The Met added: “There is no evidence that Masood was radicalised in prison in 2003, as has been suggested; this is pure speculation at this time. Whilst I have found no evidence of an association with IS or AQ, there is clearly an interest in jihad.”
