Minister Tobias Ellwood has been praised as he made his first ministerial appearance in the Commons since battling to save the life of Pc Keith Palmer in the Westminster terror attack.

MPs erupted into loud cheers of "hear, hear" as Mr Ellwood, a Foreign Office minister who was appointed to the Privy Council in recognition of the bravery he showed, rose to answer questions about international affairs.

Politicians from all sides of the chamber prefaced their questions by paying tribute to the heroism of Mr Ellwood, who ran towards gun shots to give first aid to the stricken policeman.

He was introduced by his new title of "right honourable", a title reserved for members of the Privy Council - a group of senior politicians who advise the Queen and receive top secret national security briefings.

Labour former minister Kate Hoey said: "Can I congratulate the honourable member on his honour?"

Lisa Cameron, SNP MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, said: "Can I also congratulate the right honourable member on his actions last week?"

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Conservative MP for the Cotswolds, said: "May I too, on behalf of these benches, pay tribute to my right honourable friend for his actions last week?"

Unarmed Pc Palmer was stabbed by extremist Khalid Masood during an 82-second rampage which left three others dead and dozens injured.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told MPs: "I want to pay my own tribute to my right honourable friend and ministerial colleague (Mr Ellwood), and of course also to all those innocents who lost their lives or were injured last week.

"Over the centuries many people have tried to attack this Parliament and none has shaken our faith in our values of freedom and democracy, which inform our policies."

Conservative former minister Cheryl Gillan added: "Can I join the Foreign Secretary in his tribute to our courageous friend."