Tributes left to Tory MP Sir David Amess as police declare terror incident

16 October 2021, 07:31 | Updated: 16 October 2021, 17:10

Sir David Amess was killed on Friday
Sir David Amess was killed on Friday. Picture: Alamy

By Will Taylor

Tributes have been left to Conservative MP Sir David Amess after he was stabbed to death while meeting his constituents.

Police have declared Friday's tragedy as a terrorist incident, which unfolded at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, near Southend.

Sir David had been holding a surgery, where locals can meet their representative in Parliament, when he was fatally stabbed.

A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and taken in to custody.

On Saturday morning, flowers, notes and a balloon had been left near police tape at the scene, paying tribute to the 69-year-old politician, who had served in the Commons since 1983.

Read more: 'Our hearts are filled with shock and sadness': PM's tribute to Sir David Amess

Flowers being laid in tribute to Tory MP David Amess

One note thanked him for his support for Surfers Against Sewage, the marine conservation group, and the local community.

Another said he was an “honourable friend” of the Iranian people in their bid for freedom and democracy in Iran.

The balloon, which was left with flowers, read: “RIP we will miss you”.

Among Sir David’s main interests in Parliament were animal welfare and pro-life issues.

Politicians including Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer left tributes to him.

The Prime Minister said Sir David was "one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics" and praised his record of passing laws to protect vulnerable people.

Iranian people lay floral tribute in memory of Sir David Amess

"All our hearts are full of shock and sadness today to the loss of Sir David Amess MP, who was killed in his constituency surgery in a church after almost 40 years of continuous service to the people of Essex and the whole of the United Kingdom," said Mr Johnson in a video.

"David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future and we've lost today a fine public servant and a much loved friend and colleague, and our thoughts are very much today with his wife, his children and his family," he added.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his "heart goes out" to Sir David's children, staff, friends and constituents, calling yesterday a "dark and shocking day".

LBC's Matthew Thompson reports from scene where Tory MP has died

The early investigation into what happened has revealed "a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism", the Met said.

Sources have told the PA news agency the man is believed to be British with Somali heritage.

Two addresses were searched in the London area. It is thought the man acted alone and nobody else is being sought.

All police forces have been asked to review their security arrangements for MPs.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Dorothy Chiles

Great-grandmother, 87, pictured for first time after deadly train station attack, as woman in her 20s arrested

President Donald Trump speaks on Wednesday night

Trump makes plans to meet Putin and end Ukraine war as he says 'the US wants its money back'

Exclusive
Katie Amess has spoken out about the need for an inquiry into her father's murder by an Islamist terrorist

Daughter of Sir David Amess, MP murdered by Islamist terrorist, ‘made to sign NDA’ on report into father’s death

Exclusive
Angela Rayner reveals she took advice from NHS trauma specialists ahead of Grenfell demolition meeting

Angela Rayner reveals she took advice from NHS trauma specialists ahead of Grenfell demolition meeting

Italian F1 Grand Prix - Previews

Nightclub bouncer behind £12m plot to reveal Formula One star Michael Schumacher's health secrets jailed

Josef Fritzl

Incest monster Josef Fritzl could walk free from prison next year - and expects 'cheering crowds' to greet him

Ofsted's Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver supports an extension to term times

'Time to think about school holidays': Ofsted's Chief Inspector supports extending term times

Exclusive
Angela Rayner insisted that British support for Ukraine was 'unwavering'

Rayner insists UK support for Ukraine 'unwavering' despite Trump's plan for 'immediate' peace talks with Putin

Prince William, President of BAFTA, operates a film camera as he visits the London Screen Academy in London, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)

William tries his hand at being a cameraman on visit to London film academy

President Donald J. Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during the G20 Japan Summit Friday, June 28, 2019, in Osaka, Japan.

Trump and Putin 'to meet in Saudi Arabia' and 'start negotiations immediately' to end war in Ukraine

Street scene in Peckham, London, with red bus

Bus driver, 76, found guilty of killing passenger who was run over while attempting to board vehicle

Norward Road, Lambeth, the proposed LTN.

Council staff given 'wellbeing day' after attending 'stormy' neighbourhood meeting

United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, left, shakes hands with Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey prior to a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a NATO defense ministers meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb.

Ukraine's NATO membership plans 'unrealistic' says US - as defence secretary claims US troops won't be peacekeepers

Jaysley Beck, 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire

Officer accused of pinning down and trying to kiss soldier, 19, had been 'waiting for moment for them to be alone'

A public inquiry into the Nottingham attacks will begin 'within weeks'

Public inquiry into Nottingham attacks will begin 'within weeks', PM tells victims' families

Paul Allen.

Cagefighter guilty of Britain's largest cash robbery shot in neck in his kitchen in murder plot