𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Defence Secretary John Healey has failed to rule out introducing airport security-style scanners at train stations in the wake of last night’s horrific rampage in Huntingdon. The senior minister was questioned about what information is currently known, and repeated government requests for members of the public to avoid speculating.

Appearing on Laura Kuenssberg’s Sunday morning show, Mr Healey was asked about potential security upgrades for train passengers. Ms Kuenssberg said: “After the attacks on 7/7 there was a government trial of bringing in security scanners at stations, is that something you think the government would like to look at?” Failing to rule the idea out, Mr Healey replied: “Not immediately.”

“I think what this says to us all as the travelling public is be vigilant, look out for each other, but the British public are pretty resilient.

“I think we have to wait and see what the facts of this attack are. The assessments they make as the investigation proceeds, and whether there are any wider policy conclusions that we need to draw then the government will do that.”

Mr Healey also said the attack on the East Coast mainline train was “very close to home” for him, as he was on the same service with his wife yesterday just a few hours before the attack.

“It’s a line I use every week to get home to Rotherham. I pay huge tribute to the passengers but also the emergency services for the way they responded because this might have been so much worse if they hadn’t acted in the way that they did.”

Tory mayor of Cambridgeshire Paul Bristow told the programme we should be expecting a new statement from the British Transport Police shortly.

This morning Nigel Farage demanded answers, with both the Home Office and the Met yet to confirm a number of key details.

The Reform UK leader said: “The attack last night in Huntington was horrific.

“My thoughts are with all the victims and their families.

“We need to know who committed these awful attacks as soon as possible.”

Last night Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged people to avoid speculation. She told social media: “I am deeply saddened to hear about the stabbings in Huntingdon. My thoughts go out to all those affected.

“Two suspects have been immediately arrested and taken into custody.

“I am receiving regular updates on the investigation.

“I urge people to avoid comment and speculation at this early stage.”

It is not yet known whether the attack is being treated as a terrorist incident. The British Transport Police declared a major incident, and at one point declared “Plato”, the codeword used when responding to a terrorist incident, however this was later rescinded.

One of the suspects is believed to have been Tasered. An eye-witness reported the knife-wielder to be a Black man dressed in black clothing.

Witnesses have spoken of seeing a man with a large knife and passengers hiding in the toilets to escape the rampage.

One told The Times there was “blood everywhere” and people were getting “stamped” on by others as they tried to flee.