A tense night in Washington. A suspect is dead. Shots fired near the White House. The Metropolitan Police are now on high alert across London.
Details are thin. The FBI is leading the investigation. The suspect approached a security checkpoint. They opened fire. Secret Service returned fire. The threat is contained.
But here in Westminster, the mood is jittery. Security is being reviewed. MPS COBRA meeting is likely. The Home Office is monitoring. Don't expect any public statements until the picture is clearer.
One Whitehall source told me: 'We are watching very closely. There is no specific threat to the UK, but we are not taking any chances.'
This is a developing story. The key question is motive. Was this a lone wolf? A coordinated attack? The answers will shape the response.
For now, London carries on. But the machine is whirring. Police leave is being cancelled. Downing Street is in contact with Washington. Status: HIGH ALERT.
