A man has been killed in a machete attack and two suspects shot by police in Woolwich, south-east London.

Prime Minister David Cameron said there were “strong indications that it is a terrorist incident” and the UK would “never buckle” in the face of such attacks.

Footage has emerged showing a man wielding a bloodied meat cleaver and making political statements.

There are unconfirmed reports that the dead man was a soldier.

Both French President Francois Hollande and MP Nick Raynsford said the dead man had been a soldier at Woolwich barracks.

The footage shown on the ITV website shows a man, speaking to the camera, saying: “We must fight them as they fight us. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

He added: “I apologise that women have had to witness this today, but in our land our women have to see the same. You people will never be safe. Remove your government, they don’t care about you.”

• Downing Street said Mr Cameron, who had been planning to stay in Paris overnight after meeting the French president, would be returning to the UK later on Wednesday
• At a meeting of the government’s emergency response committee, Cobra, it was decided to tighten security at Woolwich and other barracks in London
• Both shot men were taken to hospital, one by air ambulance
• One of the men is in a serious condition, the other is also being treated for injuries
• In a joint press conference, Mr Hollande said he wanted to express his solidarity with the UK after the “murder of a British soldier”, but Mr Cameron did not confirm the victim had been a serviceman
• The Ministry of Defence said it was urgently looking into reports the incident had involved a soldier
• Another Cobra meeting will be held on Thursday morning, chaired by Mr Cameron

Home Secretary Theresa May said she had been briefed by the director general of Security Service MI5, Andrew Parker, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe on the “sickening and barbaric” attack.

Mr Cameron said Britain had faced “these sort of attacks”, adding: “We will never buckle in the face of them.

“People across Britain, people in every community, I believe, will utterly condemn this attack.”

He expressed sympathy for the victim and his family, saying: “It is the most appalling crime. We are obviously seeking, and the police are urgently seeking, the full facts about this case.”

One witness, identified only as James, said two men had attacked another man, aged about 20, who was wearing a T-shirt of military charity Help for Heroes.

“These two guys were crazed. They were just animals. They dragged him from the pavement and dumped his body in the middle of the road and left his body there,” he told LBC radio.

He said after the “horrendous” attack, the two men, who were also in their 20s, stood around, waving knives and a gun, and asked people to take pictures of them “as if they wanted to be on TV or something”.

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AnalysisDominic CascianiHome affairs correspondent

The case for this being a jihadist attack, following the ideology of al-Qaeda, is compelling – even if the police won’t yet say so officially.

If it is, then it would be the first such incident leading to a death of someone other than the perpetrator since the 2005 London suicide bombings.

So the first task for ministers and officials is to assess the threat to the public – are other attacks planned?

The official terrorism threat level is currently “substantial”, which means an attack is “a strong possibility”.

If officials raise the level to “severe”, that would mean they fear another attack is highly likely.

If the victim is indeed a soldier, then that will be no surprise to security chiefs.

Jihadists believe they are at war with the military because of its role in the Afghanistan conflict and elsewhere.

The UK has previously uncovered three plots linked to possible terror attacks on the armed forces, including a cell in 2007 which planned to kidnap and behead a soldier in an Iraq-style hostage video.

• Read more from Dominic

“They were oblivious to anything, they were more worried about having their photo taken, running up and down the road,” he said.

Witness Graham Wilders told the BBC he had arrived on the scene to find a car crashed into a wall and a man on the ground.

“Two people were lying over him and I thought they were trying to resuscitate him,” he said.

But Mr Wilders said he had driven on to park his car, and when he had returned another witness had told him the two men had been stabbing the man on the ground.

Thomas, another witness who contacted the BBC, said: “I got there minutes after it happened because you could hear gunshots from Woolwich High Street.

“Basically two men carried out an axe attack on a young army cadet walking along the street, by the looks of things the police responded and then shot them in front of the public, at the same time I couldn’t really tell if the cadet was fatally or not hurt as police were crowded around him.”

According to senior Whitehall sources the people carrying out the attack were heard to say: “Allahu Akbar [God is Great]“, BBC political editor Nick Robinson reported.

On Twitter, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson described the attack as a “sickening deluded and unforgivable act of violence”.

Buckingham Palace says the Queen is concerned at the news of the attack and is being kept informed.

Help for Heroes said the charity was “appalled to hear that a man, believed to be a serving soldier, has been brutally murdered in Woolwich today”.

School lock-down

Mr Raynsford, the Woolwich and Greenwich MP, said he had spoken to local police and understood a number of weapons had been seized at the scene including a gun, knives, and a machete.

Metropolitan Police Commander Simon Letchford said two alleged attackers had been shot by officers.

He said: “Police were called to reports of an assault… where one man was being assaulted by two other men. A number of weapons were reportedly being used in the attack, and this included reports of a firearm.

“Officers including local Greenwich officers arrived at the scene, and shortly after firearms officers arrived on the scene.

“On their arrival at the scene they found a man, who was later pronounced dead.

“Two men, who we believe from early reports to have been carrying weapons, were shot by police. They have both been taken to separate London hospitals. They are receiving treatment for their injuries.

“I can understand that this incident will cause community concerns and I would like to reiterate that we are investigating the circumstances.”

Meanwhile, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) confirmed it had been informed.

David Dixon, a local head teacher, told the BBC News Channel he walked out of the school gates and saw a body lying in the road a short distance away.

He then heard gunshots and instructed staff to lock all the gates of his school.

The air ambulance landed in the playground and most of the children have now gone home, he said.

Conservative critics had tabled a proposal to let heterosexual couples enter into civil partnerships, if gay couples were allowed to get married.

This was defeated by 375 votes to 70 after a five-hour Commons debate.

Instead, MPs backed a Labour plan to consult on changing civil partnerships – a move criticised by some Tory MPs.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Culture Secretary Maria Miller thanked other parties for their “unwavering support” for the principles of the same-sex Marriage Bill and said a review of civil partnerships could take place “very swiftly”.

‘Grubby deal’

Labour said the review could potentially take place within the next few months – enabling its findings to be reflected in the final legislation – but one Conservative MP described the sequence of events as a “grubby deal”.

The bill is being debated over two days, with its third reading – the final hurdle in the Commons – on Tuesday. If approved, it will go to the House of Lords on Wednesday, where it is expected to face further opposition.

David Cameron has said equal marriage would help build a stronger and fairer society but nearly half of all Tories voted against it in February and many party activists remain deeply opposed to it in principle.

The bill’s fresh scrutiny by MPs comes amid other divisions within the Conservative Party on Europe and attitudes towards the party’s grassroots.

MPs get a free vote on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill because it is considered an issue of conscience and many Conservative MPs spoke out against the principle of gay marriage.

Former defence minister Sir Gerald Howarth said the plans were “divisive” and suggested there were are plenty of people “in the aggressive homosexual community who see this as but a stepping stone to something even further”.

A group of Tory MPs, led by former Conservative minister Tim Loughton, attempted to amend the bill, with a plan to extend civil partnerships – which came into force in 2005 – to heterosexual couples.

Review

Mr Loughton rejected claims the move was a “wrecking” measure, arguing that the extension of civil partnerships to co-habiting heterosexuals would address a “glaring inequality” in the current proposals as well as encouraging family stability.

He warned about any review on civil partnerships being “kicked into the long grass”, adding that Parliament “was in danger of being party to a last minute stitch-up between the frontbenches”.

Ministers initially agreed that the status of civil partnerships should be reconsidered by 2019, with the scope to do it sooner if approved by Parliament.

‘Financial implications’

Ms Miller told MPs there were “fundamental policy” issues that needed to be considered with “financial implications”, such as pension entitlements for heterosexual civil partners, widows and widowers.

But while it would not be “responsible” to legislate at the moment, she said she respected the strong views on the matter in Parliament and would back calls for an immediate review.

It was initially suggested Labour’s equalities team might support Mr Loughton’s amendment but it later put forward its own compromise proposal for an immediate consultation.

“We are certainly anxious to do all we can to ensure that same-sex marriages arrives as swiftly as possible on the statute book,” shadow equalities minister Kate Green said.

“We would not want to see anything put that ambition in jeopardy.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said it was his party’s position to extend civil partnerships to everybody, irrespective of their sexuality but the current bill could not be derailed.

‘Crisis of conservatism’

Without holding a formal vote, MPs approved plans to hold an immediate review after the leadership of all three parties backed it.

While failing in their attempts to amend the legislation in any form, Conservative MPs voiced their concerns in large numbers on a range of issues.

A proposal which would have allowed civil registrars to opt out of presiding over gay marriages on grounds of conscience was backed by 150 MPs – including Cabinet ministers Iain Duncan Smith and Owen Paterson – although 340 voted against.

In a subsequent vote, 148 MPs supported an amendment to protect the religious beliefs of a person who believes that marriage is defined as being between a man and a woman but 349 MPs voted against.

Under the bill, the Church of England and the Church in Wales would be banned from offering same-sex marriages because of their strongly stated opposition, unless they changed canon law.

Other religious organisations would be able to “opt in” to holding ceremonies. There are currently no plans for similar legislation in Northern Ireland, but there are already plans for a bill to allow same-sex marriage in Scotland.

The UK debate comes the week after France became the ninth European country, and 14th in the world, legalise gay marriage. Earlier this month Rhode Island became the 10th US state to allow same-sex marriages.

Snow, sleet and rain have disrupted transport and power suppliesas wintry weather continues in much of the UK.

A number of roads and airports have closed, with many of the weekend’s sporting fixtures affected too.

Snow is falling across central and northern parts of the country and spreading to the South and South East of England.

A Met Office yellow weather warning, urging people to be aware of adverse conditions, covers most of England.

It comes after snow fell on Friday, disrupting travel, schools and power supplies across parts of the UK.

Friday’s weather led to the closure of hundreds of schools across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

Motorists across much of the UK have been advised to exercise caution.

Road closures have occurred in much of the country. Meanwhile, drivers in some areas have been left stranded after roads have become impassable.

In Belfast, more than 200,000 electricity customers were affected by a blackout.

Northern Ireland Electricity said that at one stage the blackout swept across the whole of Belfast after an issue with the high voltage transmission network.

All but about 35,000 properties had had power restored by late evening, it added.

By late on Friday, power companies said a total of 14,000 customers in Scotland were left without power.

And more than 3,000 homes in north Wales are without power.

There have been a number of developments across the UK.

• Police said motorists should avoid travelling by road in the Dumfries and Galloway area, where many people have been stuck in their cars overnight, because conditions were “extremely dangerous”
• Search and rescue teams led stranded motorists to safety in Cumbria overnight after deep snowdrifts made roads impassable
• Residents of Arran have been warned that they may be without power for up to three days, prompting Scottish Hydro to send a portable generator to the island
• Snow across the UK has disrupted the weekend’s sporting schedule
• In Staffordshire, overnight snow and high winds brought down trees and closing roads, as well as forcing the closure of Alton Towers and Drayton Manor theme parks
• Flights are currently not operating at Leeds Bradford airport – passengers are advised to check with their airline or tour operator before arriving at the airport
• All flights at Humberside Airport have been cancelled due to snow. East Midlands Airport runway has now reopened
• Tributes have been paid to a woman who died when her home collapsed after a landslip at Looe, Cornwall, caused by torrential rain

The prolonged cold snap has sparked fears that the UK will run out of stored gas.

However, the National Grid has said there is “plenty of gas available”, and the Department of Energy and Climate Change has said gas needs are being met.

Its warning covered many central parts of the UK and involved a slow-moving band of rain, sleet and snow.

It said further significant snowfall was likely to accumulate on hills, with continued drifting and blizzard conditions in strong south-easterly winds.

At lower levels, some areas could see a further 5-10cm (2in to 4in) of snow, though exact location remain “very uncertain at this stage”, it said.

he polls on Thursday to vote for a new MP following the resignation of Chris Huhne. But who is in the running, and why are the votes so important?

WHY IS THERE A BY-ELECTION IN EASTLEIGH?

The small Hampshire town of Eastleigh was thrown into the political spotlight at the beginning of February, following the resignation of Lib Dem MP Chris Huhne.

The disgraced former Energy Secretary became the only British cabinet member in history to be forced from office by a criminal prosecution, after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Huhne, 58, pleaded guilty to the charge on February 4, which related to speeding points a decade ago.

His resignation sparked a by-election in the constituency where he had been Lib Dem MP since 2005.

Candidates from all three major political parties – as well as several ‘less conventional’ candidates – are now campaigning to become MP of a town which has turned into a key political battleground.

David Cameron joins Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings on a leaflet drop around the Hampshire town (PA)

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

The by-election in Eastleigh will be the first time the Coalition partners have fought over a single seat since they took shared power in 2010.

Political commentators have speculated that the by-election is a test of David Cameron‘s leadership of the Conservative Party.

He has already visited the Hampshire town to help canvass for votes with his candidate, Maria Hutchings – who is currently second in early polls behind the Lib Dem’s Mike Thornton.

Related: Coalition candidates battle it out in Eastleigh

Senior Tories have previously confessed that losing Eastleigh would ‘put some real question marks over our election strategy’.

Others say Eastleigh is the most important by-election in 30 years, as the Prime Minister needs a victory to convince his party he can gain a workable majority by 2015.

Candidates have been relentlessly campaigning across the Hampshire town since early February

As well as support from the Prime Minister, Maria Hutchings has also been assisted on the campaign trail by London Mayor Boris Johnson.

The UK Independence Party (UKIP) have a 21% share of support in the town, according to a recent poll by Survation.

The anti-Europe party, whose candidate is councillor Diane James, claim they could cause a ‘political earthquake’ by winning the Hampshire seat.

Eastleigh became a political battleground after the resignation of Chris Huhne as MP earlier this month (PA)

WHO ARE THE MAIN CANDIDATES?

The Conservative candidate, Maria Hutchings, stood against Chris Huhne in 2010, but came second.

The hard-working mother-of-four hit the headlines in 2005 when she challenged then Prime MinisterTony Blair during a live TV debate.

Mrs Hutchings, a campaigner for special needs children and carers, showed Mr Blair a photo of her autistic son John Paul, claiming she struggled to get him the speech therapy he needed.

The by-election has become a big talking point – whether residents like it or not (PA)She has campaigned fiercely across the town, but according to recent polls remains neck and neck with Lib Dem candidate Mike Thornton.

Mr Thornton has lived in the Eastleigh area for almost 20 years, and has been a parish and borough councillor since 2007.

He has pledged to protect green spaces, cut income tax for local workers, and bring more jobs and investment to the Hampshire constituency.

The two frontrunners will be mindful of UKIP candidate Diane James, the councillor for Waverley Borough in Surrey who joined the party in 2010.

Sources in Eastleigh describe the healthcare expert as ‘more Conservative than the Conservative candidate’, and Mrs James has received good support on the doorsteps of the Hampshire town.

Experts say Mrs James ‘looks and sounds like a Tory’, and with her more centrist views and promises of ‘integrity and commitment’, could snatch victory from the Coalition partners.

Labour’s candidate, broadcaster and author John O’Farrell, is fourth in the popularity stakes, with support of around 11-12 per cent.

He previously stood for the party in 2001 in Maidenhead, and describes himself as a ‘lifelong Labour supporter’.

The race to become MP for Eastleigh has predictably drawn a number of less orthodox candidates.

Others in the running include ‘Howling Laud Hope’ (real name Alan Hope) of the Monster Raving Loony Party, Ray Hall – from the ‘Beer, Baccy and Crumpets’ party, and David Bishop – from the ‘Elvis Loves Pets’ party.

Ian Dunt, editor of politics.co.uk, said the Conservatives could be foiled by the Lib Dems’ strength in local campaigning.

He said: “Eastleigh is the Tories’ first chance to test out the ‘weaponised’ policy-led campaigning which they plan to use against the Lib Dems in the general election.

“The party needs to take about 20 seats from their coalition partners to be in with a shot of a majority in 2015.

“Unfortunately for the Conservatives, the Lib Dems are seasoned and disciplined local campaigners.

“Even when the national picture is grim, they retain much of their local support – and in a race against the Tories they can rely on Labour supporters to back them as the least worst option.

“It’s a timely reminder to those forecasting the end of the Liberal Democrat party that British elections still rely on a great deal of strategic voting.”

WHO LIVES IN EASTLEIGH? HOW HAVE THEY VOTED BEFORE?

Created as a constituency in 1955, Eastleigh has an electorate of over 78,000.

Eastleigh had been a safe Conservative seat for four decades until the death of MP Stephen Milligan in 1994.

The Lib Dems took over the constituency with 44% support in the resulting by-election, with MP David Chidgey holding on to the seat until he stood down at the 2005 General Election.

Chris Huhne, the town’s most recent MP, took over the same year, before twice launching unsuccessful Lib Dem leadership campaigns in 2006 and 2007.

He lost out to Sir Menzies Campbell in 2006 and Nick Clegg a year later, but joined the Coalition government in 2010 as Energy Secretary.