Tobias Ellwood fought back tears on BBC Breakfast this morning as he recalled one year on from the Westminster terror attack how he tried to explain what had happened to his young son.
Speaking to hosts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty, a clearly moved Mr Ellwood struggled to find his words as he was asked how events affected his family.
The Conservative MP was among those who ran to assist injured PC Keith Palmer – who later died from his wounds – after he was stabbed while attempting to detain knife-wielding terrorist Khalid Masood during the atrocity.
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And twelve months after the shocking incident, it is clear the day’s desperately sad events still take an emotional toll on the former army captain.
“One of most the vivid images I have [from that day] is returning home after what had happened and finding my son on the top of the stairs,” the 51-year-old reflected, shortly before words failed him.
“He was in tears, and he was on his own.”
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Apparently unable to continue speaking, the MP for Bournemouth took a moment to compose himself before adding: “I sat next to him and he just asked: ‘Why?’
“He couldn’t understand why I had stepped forward, why somebody had been killed, why someone was wielding a knife in a place that he had visited many times.
“And all I could offer was that there are some bad people in the world, but there are a lot more good people.
“And it’s the good people that win.”
Following these inspirational words, Charlie brought the interview to close. But on Twitter, many viewers echoed what Mr Ellwood had to say, and praised him for his bravery.
Reduced to tears after listening to Tobias Elwood speaking on the anniversary of the Westminster attack on #bbcbreakfast. Fantastic guy.
— Marianne (@aBlonde_Moment) March 22, 2018
Indeed it was , a hero, (one of many that sad day) , who did what he could for PC Keith Palmer, I applaud Mr Elwood and all the emergency services on a tragic and sad day for London 👏👏
— chris hawkins (@chrishawkins52) March 22, 2018
“There are some bad people in the world… but there are a lot more good people. And it’s the good people that win.”@Tobias_Ellwood #Westminster
— Imogen Cownie (@ImogenCownie) March 22, 2018
A year on from the Westminster attack, we remember those who lost their lives that day. And we remember that, as Tobias_Ellwood so rightly says, in the end “it’s the good people that win.” https://t.co/RCRiE1sjmN
— Salim Miah (@salmiahlough) March 22, 2018
#bbcbreakfast…wow, what a moving interview. Tobias Ellwood, nothing more one can say.
— jonathan cramp (@jonathancramp) March 22, 2018
Tobias Elwood spoke so eloquently about that day. What a good and decent man he is. I pray those dreadful memories will fade away someday.
— lindaoutofafrica (@outofafrica46) March 22, 2018
“All I could offer was that there are some bad people in the world…”
Trying to explain terrorism to a child. @Tobias_Ellwood told us what happened when he got home to his son – after he tried to help the police officer killed in the Westminster terror attack a year ago today. pic.twitter.com/QeGiQdRoyi— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) March 22, 2018
BBC Breakfast is on BBC One, weekdays from 6am.