Machete attack on MI5 HQ

The headquarters of Britain's Secret Service MI5 was attacked today by a man wielding a machete.

The man charged the front entrance of the MI5 building in London and attacked two security guards before an armed response unit arrived and subdued him with a Taser stun gun.

Police chiefs immediately feared a possible terrorist attack but it was unclear what motivated the attacker.

He struck at 1.15pm at the MI5 headquarters on Millbank next to the River Thames just down the road from the Palace of Westminster.

A police source said: “He went inside with a machete and a knife and we believe he attacked two security guards.”

After being hit with the stun gun the man was taken to hospital in an ambulance. The two security guards were also being treated in hospital where their injuries were not life threatening and they were described as stable.

Millbank was cordoned off by police and about a dozen police vehicles and motorcycles were parked outside the building.

A green rucksack, which the man was believed to have been carrying, was still lying on the steps yards from the front door.

Ten yards further down the street his black boot was still lying on the pavement.

It was understood the man was white and appeared to be aged around 40.

He was hit twice with a Taser stun gun.

He was later discharged from hospital and was now being quizzed by detectives.