Some of the papers this morning carried horrific pictures of the IRA's handiwork following Martin McGuinness's death, so another terrorist outrage aimed at the heart of our democracy was a sobering reminder that there will always be people out there who want to do us harm. By the end of today, we'd heard that three people were dead and many more injured, some very badly indeed. The day began normally enough, though, with a run in the park and then into the Commons, the normal routine and into the Chamber at midday for PMQs. Education was Mr Corbyn's topic this morning and he asked some pertinent questions but didn't begin to penetrate the PM's armour. He never does. Then at 1300 I walked to PCH and entered Room R for a meeting of like-minded MPs who are pushing for a new Royal Yacht. The meeting was in private, so I am limited on what I can say, but we believe there is a good case for another yacht, especially as we are leaving the EU and a new yacht would be an excellent way of reaching out to the world, while at the same time flying the flag. I had to leave early to attend our weekly European Scrutiny Committee, which was also held in private. At these meetings we look at the latest bumf coming from the EU and decide what to do with it. Personally, I'd like to chuck the whole lot in the bin, but perhaps not quite yet! It is alarming in how many areas the EU wants to interfere in our lives and our decision to leave is, without doubt, the right one. Then at about 1500 the Division Bell rang and I went downstairs to vote. We'd voted once and were waiting for the result of the second, if my memory serves me right, when the Deputy Speaker suspended the House due to a security alert. At this point none of us knew what was going on. Then moments later we were locked into the area of the Chamber and Division Lobbies. Naturally, we all reached for our phones and the appalling news began to come through. At this stage we heard that a policeman had been stabbed, his assailant shot and that many pedestrians had been run over by a car that had mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge. All very sobering. As we sat and waited, someone managed to turn a TV on in one of the Division Lobbies, so we all crowded around to learn what on earth was going on. The news got steadily worse as the full story emerged. Being a former soldier, I was concerned that this assault was purely diversionary and that other attacks would soon take place across the capital. Thankfully this was not the case and the carnage was caused by a lone-wolf, whose identity we still do not know. Tragically, we then heard that the policeman who' been stabbed had died, while also hearing that one of those run over had also passed away. Locked up as we were, it was hard to get a proper perspective of the chaos outside. As always, the emergency services were amazing, running in when everyone else was running away. Fortunately medics from nearby St Thomas's Hospital were soon on the scene attending to those mowed down by the car. It transpired that the driver then crashed into the barriers near the front entrance to the Commons before running in to stab the police officer. He was shot dead shortly afterwards. My colleague and friend Tobias Ellwood had nobly tried to save the injured police officer and deserves huge credit for doing all he could under appalling circumstances. Meanwhile, MPs and their staff remained in lock down over the parliamentary estate. Colleagues and members of the public where I was pored over their phones and sat glued to the television. My four children all touchingly called me within minutes of each other. And a friend in France asked what on earth was going on! Looking out of the windows, I could see police, both armed and unarmed, and security staff, running backwards and forwards. I instructing my two staff to remain in the office and lock the door. They remained there until the police ushered them all to Westminster Hall, where hundreds of others had been directed to. It was about four hours after the incident happened that we were allowed to return to our offices and then leave via the Lords. Our staff were also so directed. Outside, Parliament Square and the surrounding area were sealed off. It was all a massive crime scene, which extended right over Westminster Bridge. Despite the horror of it all, everyone did their duty with great courage and professionalism and we are indebted to so many people who ran towards the danger in order to help the injured. What a sad and extraordinary day. As I said in my blog, democracy and freedom will never, ever be defeated by terrorism.