Tobias Ellwood: We owe you such a debt of gratitude

TOBIAS Ellwood was moved to tears when he received an award at the Police Federation’s Annual Conference for his brave attempts to save the life of PC Keith Palmer during the Westminster attack.

Visibly moved, he paused to compose himself before paying credit to the others who tried to help PC Palmer.

“It was a very moving opening to conference,” said Steve Taylor, Chairman of Essex Police Federation.

“What struck me about that was that wasn’t an affected air or grace, there was real emotion there. He was already quite high in my estimations but he went even higher with the way he dealt with that, so that was very moving.

“The National Arboretum which Lord Stevens is pushing for at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire, I think we’re going to be keen to make a contribution on behalf of our members from the Essex Police Federation towards that fund. I think they’re short of £1.5 million in order to get that project up and running by the end of the year, so what we can do to support that we’d be keen to do.”

Mr Ellwood told delegates: “You don’t know what’s round the corner. And yet you put your uniform on every day and go to work.

“We owe you such a debt of gratitude for what you do day in, day out.

“On behalf of Westminster – thanks for the work that you do day in, day out. It is not said enough but it is appreciated.”

He received a standing ovation from delegates.