Tory MP David Amess is murdered: Tragedy as married father-of-five, 69, is stabbed to death by knifeman who stormed into his constituency surgery in Southend Methodist church in front of horrified onlookers as armed police arrest suspect, 25, at scene
Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died today after being stabbed to death in a church as he tried to help his constituents.
The popular politician - who won at the last general election with a margin of 14,000 votes - was knifed 'multiple times' by a 25-year-old killer.
His attacker sprinted into the church and stabbed him to death during his weekly surgery as constituents watched in horror.
The Tory MP for Southend West, 69, was meeting locals at the Belfairs Methodist Church, in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, when it happened just at 12.05pm.
Paramedics worked to save the politician on the floor of the Essex church for more than an hour but he could not be saved after the appalling attack.
The murder bore chilling similarities to the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox, who was shot and stabbed multiple times outside her constituency surgery at a local library in Birstall, West Yorkshire, in June 2016 by a right-wing terrorist.
Sir David, a married father-of-five whose wife Julia is also his part-time caseworker, is the seventh MP to be murdered, and the ninth in history to be attacked. It is not know if Mrs Amess was at the church when her husband was murdered.
Horrified constituents waiting to see the veteran MP, an ardent Brexiteer and royalist, watched in horror as the knifeman stabbed him, calling the police at 12.05pm. Police confirmed Sir David's death at around 3pm. Counter-terrorism officers and armed units are at the scene.
One woman ran out of the church in the chaos yelling down the phone after dialling 999, telling the call handler: 'Someone's been stabbed, please get here soon, he's not breathing'. Essex Police held the attacker at the scene and seized a weapon. He is now in custody and arrested on suspicion of murder.
Sir David, a Brexiteer veteran MP who has voted against gay marriage and abortion, was seen laughing and speaking to people on the steps of the church just 15 minutes before he was knifed.
'We could see a police cordon set up... (someone outside) told me a woman had come out screaming on the phone, saying 'someone's been stabbed, please get here soon, he's not breathing',' the 40-year-old told PA.
'There was a lot of talk at the church that it was (Sir David) and plenty of people had seen him outside saying hello to people outside the church 20 minutes before. It's very shocking'.
Poignantly, Sir David wrote last year about the importance of meeting constituents despite what had happened to Jo Cox. He wrote: 'She was a young woman with a family going about her duties, as we all do, completely unaware of the threat that she faced. While it is often said that good can come out of someone's death, it is difficult to see what good can come from this senseless murder'. He also admitted he had been threatened at his home in the past and had to add additional security to his property.
It is understood MPs will now see police present at all MP surgeries, in a major shake-up of security. A Parliamentary source told MailOnline that it is now essential: 'The Commons will have a complete review again,' the source said. 'Police need to be at surgeries. It is the only solution.
‘It takes something like this to shock everyone into action.’
Another insider said: ‘We cannot have a disconnect between MPs and their constituents. MPs are already pulling their surgeries because they are worried. But we cannot let them win… the electorate have a right to meet their MP.’
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: ‘This is an incident that will send shockwaves across the parliamentary community and the whole country'
Carrie Johnson had led the tributes to the MP today, tweeting: 'Absolutely devastating news about Sir David Amess. He was hugely kind and good. An enormous animal lover and a true gent. This is so completely unjust. Thoughts are with his wife and their children'.
Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps described Sir David Amess as 'a true parliamentarian'. He tweeted: 'Awful, tragic news about David. A dedicated, thoughtful man and a true Parliamentarian, who lost his life while serving the constituents who he worked relentlessly for throughout his career. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.'
Judith Cannon, deputy chair of the local Conservative club and friend of the MP, said: 'I just don't believe it, how anyone could harm a kind man like David, I don't know. I cannot understand how anyone could be so wicked to harm this man'.
Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, tweeted after the death: 'My thoughts and love are with David's family. They are all that matter now. This brings everything back. The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us following the loss of Jo. I hope we can do the same for David now'.
MP Sir David Amess has been murdered at his constituency surgery in Leigh. The Tory MP for Southend West, 69, was holding a surgery at the Belfairs Methodist Church, in Eastwood Road North. Sir David pictured outside his surgery earlier this month
Armed police swamped the Belfairs Methodist Church as the MP was being treated for his wounds on the floor inside. Tragically he couldn't be saved and was pronounced dead at around 3pm
Police officers attend following the stabbing of UK Conservative MP Sir David Amess as he met with constituents at a constituency surgery
Police have sealed off the area as Sir David became the sixth MP to be murdered in recent times and the first since the death of Jo Cox in 2016
Police and paramedics are said to have treated his wounds for more than an hour before he passed away
The Union flags above Downing Street have been lowered to half mast after Conservative MP Sir David Amess was murdered
Sir David's most recent Twitter post alerted constituents that he was holding a surgery at the location he was attacked by a 25-year-old man
Police were still on the scene hours after the attack happened collecting evidence on what happened at the stabbing, which witnesses said happened
Armed police at the scene after the stabbing happened next to an A-board advertising the MP was in the building. The suspect was held at the scene and his knife seized
An air ambulance was rushed to the scene, landing in a field behind the church. Tragically it wasn't needed, as Sir David died at the scene of the stabbing
Armed police at the scene outside Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea where MP David Amess was stabbed to death. Counter-terrrorism officers are also there
Police officers were seen speaking to potential witnesses after the shocking violence unfolded in broad daylightCouncillor John Lamb, who was at the scene where Conservative MP Sir David Amess was stabbed, described him as an 'amicable' family man.
He said he got the call about the 'dreadful' attack just after midday and rushed to the Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, but that the surrounding roads had already been cordoned off by police.
Mr Lamb said the MP had not been taken to hospital, but that there were two ambulances at the scene and 'they've been working on him all that time here'. He's a family man, he's got four daughters and a son,' he told the PA news agency.
'He's always trying to help people and especially refugees he's tried to help. He's a very amicable person and he does stick by his guns, he says what he believes and he sticks by it.'
Conservative MP and former Cabinet minister David Davis tweeted: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and staff of Sir David Amess.
'He was a thoroughly kind and decent man who above all else cared strongly for his constituents and worked hard for them over his distinguished career. We have all lost a good friend.'
Health Secretary Sajid Javid tweeted: 'Devastated to learn of Sir David Amess' murder. A great man, a great friend, and a great MP killed while fulfilling his democratic role.
'My heart goes out to Julia, his family, and all who loved him. Let us remember him and what he did with his life.'
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis described Sir David Amess as 'one of life's truly nice people'.
He tweeted: 'I knew David both from my days as a councillor in Essex and as a fellow MP.
'One of life's truly nice people, a gentleman, who was always ready to give his help to anyone who needed it.
'So shocked and saddened by this awful news. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.'
Communities Secretary Michael Gove tweeted: 'David Amess's passing is heart-breakingly sad. Just terrible, terrible news.
'He was a good and gentle man, he showed charity and compassion to all, his every word and act were marked by kindness. My heart goes out to his family.'
One person posted online: 'David Amess Southend MP stabbed in Belfairs Methodist church Eastwood road literally as I was outside the building.'
Another posted: 'Something big going on outside Belfairs Methodist Church on Eastwood Road North near the Woodcutters.'
It is believed Sir David has been receiving treatment at the scene for his injuries.
Earlier this year he spoke out about anti-social behaviour and knife crime.
He was a firm supporter of Brexit and the Leave Means Leave campaign.
Sir David opposed bills furthering LGBT rights, including equal age of consent and same-sex marriage.
He said present strategies were not working and said there needed to be more preventative measures.
His last message on Twitter alerted constituents he was holding a surgery told and the location of where it was being held.
Essex Police said: 'We were called to reports of a stabbing in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea shortly after 12.05pm today.
'Officers were on scene shortly after, arrested a man and recovered a knife. He is currently in custody.
'We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the wider public.
'We want to thank the public who alerted us to the incident so quickly.
'We need anyone who saw anything or has CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage to contact us.'
Sir David was selected to contest the Basildon seat and was elected as an MP June 9, 1983.
East Ham MP Stephen Timms, who was stabbed at a constituency surgery in 2010, know him well and am thinking of him with very best wishes as we await further news.'
London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: 'Truly awful news. My thoughts and prayers are with David Amess MP, his family, staff and the community at this incredibly difficult time.'
There has been an outpouring of grief from MPs at the murder of Sir David Amess
An ambulance is driven through the police corden after the death of the Tory MP in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
The scene near Belfairs Methodist Church, in Eastwood Road North where MP Sir David Amess was stabbed
Sir David, a married father-of-five whose wife Julia is also his part-time caseworker, is the sixth MP to be murdered since the Second World War, and the ninth in history.
One woman ran out of the church in the chaos yelling down the phone after dialling 999, telling the call handler: 'Someone's been stabbed, please get here soon, he's not breathing'. Essex Police held the attacker at the scene and seized a weapon. He is now in custody and arrested on suspicion of murderOne witness called the incident 'very distressing' and described seeing someone being taken out of the building and put into the back of a police car, before he was asked to leave the area.
'At that point obviously we knew something serious had happened,' he told LBC.
'Within five minutes we'd been informed by someone who was actually in the building what had happened and apparently he (Sir David Amess) had been stabbed quite a few times. It's very distressing that's for sure.'
He added: 'It's a nice area... it's not something that you'd see happening round this area that's for sure.
'It's just a residential street with a Methodist church on the road and you don't often hear of things like this going on down this way.
'To have it next door to where you're working is obviously very upsetting and very unlike what it's like round here. It's very odd and it's very distressing, that's for sure.'
A spokesman for Sir David's office in Westminster said: 'The incident has happened. I don't know what the incident is. We are still waiting.'
An employee of Jean's Laundry, near Belfair's Methodist Church, said she did not know anything about the situation but had seen emergency service vehicles go by.
'We just saw all the police and the ambulances turning up, it was probably about half past 12 or just before then,' she told the PA news agency.
'I saw about two or three ambulances and then an undercover police car and other police cars going past.
'There's usually people walking past, elderly people walking to the shops. We've still got no idea what's going on, we're not very busy on a Friday and no one has come in to talk to us about it.'
Media opportunities to film the start of a Cabinet meeting on Friday have been cancelled, as was a planned interview with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which was due to take place afterwards.
What security do MPs have in their constituencies?
Even before the murder of Jo Cox in 2016 concern was growing over the threat to MPs away from Parliament.
The improvements were championed by Sir Lindsay Hoyle as deputy Speaker, and he has continued the drive since taking over as Speaker.
Every politician is now thought to have had a security assessment in the constituency, and they get a 'standard' package such as alarm systems, shutters, CCTV and personal alarms for staff.
If the police deem it necessary MPs can also access 'enhanced' measures.
The authorities do not specify what that can include, but it is thought to include secure transport and guards.
The costs are met through a central contract with Chubb, organised by the Commons.
However, there are concerns that most of the measures are applied to offices and homes, while surgeries often happen at churches or other buildings that might not be secure.
Complaints have also been growing about a postcode lottery for MPs, with some police forces offering more support than others.
Sir David Amess was pleased to attend an event in Parliament yesterday to support #OnePunchAwarenessWeek
Pictures showed that police have cordoned off the scene in the aftermath of the attack and said they had arrested one man
ATTACKED ON THE JOB: TRAGIC MPs KILLED AND INJURED WHILE IN OFFICE
Conservative MP Sir David Amess was killed after being stabbed 'multiple times' during a weekly constituency surgery.
The Tory MP for Southend West, 69, was holding a surgery at the Belfairs Methodist Church, in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea on Friday when his attacker charged into the building wielding a knife and attacked the veteran politician.
Paramedics desperately worked to save him on the floor of the Essex church for more than an hour, but he died after suffering 'multiple stab wounds' in the appalling attack.
The attack on Sir David was the 9th time a post-war MP has been killed or attacked while serving in office.
Conservative MP Sir David Amess was killed after being stabbed 'multiple times' during a constituency surgery in Belfairs Methodist Church, Leigh-on-Sea
Today's news follows the brutal shooting and stabbing of Jo Cox in 2016. She was the first time a sitting MP has been killed in more than 20 years.
The Labour MP for Batley and Spen, West Yorkshire, was murdered aged 41 after she was shot and stabbed multiple times by far-right activist Thomas Mair at an open constituency surgery in Birstall.
The unemployed gardener shouted out 'Britain First, this is for Britain, Britain will always come first', as he launched a barrage of blows against Mrs Cox.
The murder - which came just days before the EU referendum - provoked shock around the world and grief both in Ms Cox's constituency and among her friends and colleagues in Parliament.
Jo Cox was the first MP killed in more than 20 years after she was stabbed and shot to death in 2016
Eastbourne MP Ian Gow, left, MP for Enfield Southgate Sir Anthony Berry, centre, were both killed while in office
In 1990, Eastbourne MP Ian Gow, a former private parliamentary secretary to Margaret Thatcher, was killed by an IRA car bomb at his Sussex home at the age of 53.
The charismatic Conservative MP kissed wife Jane goodbye that summer morning as he left their East Sussex farmhouse, got into his car and started it - triggering an IRA Semtex bomb which had been placed under the driver’s seat of the Austin Montego.
It was 8.39 am and he died some ten minutes later, having suffered appalling injuries to the lower part of his body.
Before Mr Gow, the MP for Enfield Southgate Sir Anthony Berry died in the IRA bombing of Brighton's Grand Hotel, where Mrs Thatcher was staying for the 1984 Conservative Party conference.
The IRA also claimed the life of Ulster Unionist Party MP Robert Bradford, who was shot dead aged 40 while holding a constituency surgery in a Belfast community centre in 1981.
And the Irish National Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the murder of former Northern Ireland secretary Airey Neave, whose car was blown up as he drove out of the parliamentary car park at Westminster in 1979.
In 1983, UUP politician and Northern Irish Assembly member Edgar Graham was shot in the head by an IRA gunman while on campus at Queen's University, Belfast.
A number of MPs have also been attacked while holding public surgeries.
Ulster Unionist Party MP Robert Bradford (left) was killed and former Northern Ireland secretary Airey Neave (right) was killed after his car was blown up as he drove out of the parliamentary car park at Westminster in 1979
Former Labour Cabinet minister Stephen Timms (left) was stabbed twice by a student who had booked an appointment to see him in east London in 2010. Baron Jones of Cheltenham, right, was attacked by Robert Ashman with a samurai sword in January 2000
Former Labour Cabinet minister Stephen Timms was stabbed twice by a student who had booked an appointment to see him in east London in 2010.
Roshonara Choudhry was jailed for life for stabbing East Ham MP Stephen Timms in his constituency surgery in May 2010.
And in 2000, former Liberal Democrat MP Nigel Jones, now a peer, came under attack by a man wielding a samurai sword, with the politician's aide Andrew Pennington killed while trying to protect him.
In January 2000, deranged Robert Ashman attacked Baron Jones as he conducted a surgery in his Cheltenham constituency.
Ashman seriously injured Baron Jones and stabbed to death his aide Mr Pennington as he tried to protect him. Pennington, 39, tried to fight off the attacker with an electric fire. vcxvkulshsduisah
'Praying for another MP just carrying out his job': Shocked politicians say MPs 'should be able to do their job without fear' as Sir David Amess becomes 10th to be attacked while in office
There are fresh fears for MPs' safety after Conservative MP Sir David Amess was stabbed at a constituency surgery this afternoon.
The MP for Southend West, 69, was stabbed 'multiple times' by a man as he spoke to constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.
MPs from across Parliament quickly sent their best wishes to Sir David whose condition is unknown.
Several also called for greater security for politicians after the attack, which follows the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.
Conservative MP and former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said he is 'very worried' to have heard Sir David Amess was stabbed 'a number of times, not just once'.
He told the BBC News channel: 'Obviously at the moment right now all I can think of are prayers for him and his family, him for a safe recovery, and them for the most terrible emotions they must be going through.
'The reality for us is that we see constituents all the time, both in their houses and in surgeries. We're out and about, we're always available, we must be available, it's the most critical bit of what makes the British parliamentary system I think one of the most accessible in the world, and that's because we want it that way.
'We don't want to be cowed or frightened into doing something different, and I certainly won't, and I know my colleagues will feel the same.
'So I hope this is resolved very, very quickly, as I say, but we will certainly want to continue the way that we do things.
'Of course there may be some other elements that may be added to it, but notwithstanding that I want my constituents to have full access and I'm sure David would have felt the same.'
East Ham MP Stephen Timms, who was stabbed at a constituency surgery in 2010, wrote on Twitter: 'Appalled to hear of the attack on @amessd-southend today. I know him well and am thinking of him with very best wishes as we await further news.'
Former prime minister David Cameron tweeted: 'Very alarming and worrying news reports coming from Leigh-on-Sea. My thoughts and prayers are with Sir David Amess and his family.'
No comments: