Hundreds of people were held inside parliament as police tried to determine if the car which crashed into the gates of parliament contained a bomb.
Representatives from both houses, civil servants, school groups and other staff – from chefs to press officers – were ushered into the central lobby by armed police.
Ann-Marie Parry, a press officer for the SNP, initially thought the “commotion” was related to the ongoing vote in parliament when the drama unfolded at about 2.40pm.
“I was just leaving the SNP leadership office in the Palace of Westminster when I heard a bit of a commotion. There had just been a vote in parliament, and when that happens the division bells ring and everyone runs into the chamber. So I heard the commotion and people being directed, and still thought it was to do with the vote.
“Then a police officer arrived and started telling people ‘you need to move, and you need to move now’ and directing us to the central lobby. The way they spoke made it very obvious it was a very serious incident.”
Ms Parry, who is originally from Kintore, said the group had been kept up-to-date with what was happening outside.
“Initially lots of people were looking at their phones and checking Twitter, but a police officer then made an announcement on the PA system, telling people to stay in their offices and the central lobby.
“He said there were still some concerns about the vehicle outside New Palace Yard – they weren’t sure if it was a bomb, which would need to be dealt with before anyone was allowed to move, and that every room would need to be checked too.”
The group were kept in the central lobby for several hours, before being slowly evacuated.
Ms Parry, a former reporter at the P&J, added: “It’s a big job – it’s just a reminder of how many people work here at Westminster. There’s people from the House of Lords, the Commons, staff, chef and security staff – a whole range of people were all gathered waiting for news.
“We were moved to Westminster Hall and have been told we are being treated as potential witnesses.”