'Our hearts are shattered': Mourners gather for funeral of Southend MP Sir David Amess

22 November 2021, 15:25 | Updated: 22 November 2021, 15:31

People in Southend share tributes to Sir David Amess MP at his funeral

By Patrick Grafton-Green

Mourners gathered for the funeral of Sir David Amess in Southend today, as the Conservative MP's family pleaded for people to "set aside hatred".

Sir David was stabbed to death last month while holding a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea.

The father-of-five's coffin, draped in a Union Jack flag, was carried by pall bearers from Southend Fire Service into St Mary's Church, Prittlewell, on Monday afternoon.

READ MORE: Southend to get city status in honour of Sir David Amess, Boris Johnson says

WATCH: Iain Dale's moving response to the death of Sir David Amess

Members of the public lining the streets outside the church broke into spontaneous applause as the pall bearers made their way along the churchyard path.

Members of 3rd Chalkwell Sea Scouts, the Royal Naval Association Standard Bearer and the 1312 Royal Air Force Air Cadet Standard lined the entrance to the church.

Sir David's friend, former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, read a statement from the veteran Southend West MP's family, thanking people for the "wonderful, wonderful tributes paid to David following his cruel and violent death".

Funeral Procession for MP Sir David Amess

The family said in the statement: "The support shown by friends, constituents and the general public alike has been so overwhelming. As a family, it has given us strength.

"We have realised from tributes paid that there was far, far more to David than even we, those closest to him, knew. We are enormously proud of him."

The family continued: "Our hearts are shattered.

The coffin of Sir David Amess is carried out of St Mary's Church
The coffin of Sir David Amess is carried out of St Mary's Church. Picture: Alamy

"However, there was still so much David wanted to do... this is not the end of Sir David Amess MP.

"It is the next chapter and, as a family, we ask everyone to support the many charities he worked with."

The statement added: "Set aside hatred and work towards togetherness.

"Whatever one's race, religious or political beliefs, be tolerant and try to understand.

A horse-drawn hearse carried the coffin around Southend
A horse-drawn hearse carried the coffin around Southend. Picture: Alamy

"As a family, we are trying to understand why this awful thing has occurred. Nobody should die in that way. Nobody.

"Please let some good come from this tragedy. We are absolutely broken, but we will survive and carry on for the sake of a wonderful and inspiring man."

Friend and fellow Essex MP Mark Francois praised Sir David's service to his constituents during his eulogy.

He told mourners: "Whatever one thinks of members of Parliament, and opinions do vary, in my experience MPs of all parties do genuinely try and help other people.

Mourners lined the streets of Southend
Mourners lined the streets of Southend. Picture: Alamy

"However, collectively in recent years we have perhaps not always helped ourselves, and I humbly suggest today that we need to learn from that.

"But, boy, did David Amess honour the contract with his employers - and in his own inimitable style."

Following the funeral service, pall bearers carried Sir David's coffin to a horse-drawn hearse for a procession around Southend.

Hundreds of people gathered outside Southend's Civic Centre to pay their respects as the hearse, led by four black horses, paused in front of it.

Uniformed police officers bowed their heads as the hearse arrived, with members of the public breaking into applause.

Mark Francois, centre, delivered the eulogy
Mark Francois, centre, delivered the eulogy. Picture: Alamy

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

d

Outrage as auction house flogs Nazi memorabilia including Göring's dinner plate, Luftwaffe dagger and Swastika bunting

An asteroid could hit earth in 2036.

NASA makes 'emergency' decision over asteroid the size of Big Ben that could strike Earth

German police officer in front of a crowd

German school on lockdown after 'armed teenager' targets female pupil - as police hunt suspect

Ali Harbi Ali was found guilty of murdering MP Sir David Amess

'Problematic' assessment of Sir David Amess' killer led to Prevent case being closed 'too quickly', review finds

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has been fined £1.6 million after admitting it failed to provide safe care and treatment

'Avoidable and should never have happened': NHS Trust fined £1.6m over baby deaths in maternity care

Jessica Kitching

'I'll f*****g kill you': Mum who dragged rival parent to ground and repeatedly kicked her outside school avoids jail

British Police Officers in London England UK

Met could spend £7m a year on suspended officers after High Court ruling over security clearances

Information on Jeffrey Epstein to be declassified.

Jeffrey Epstein's 'client list' will be declassified by Trump

Yasmine had her laptop, camera and clothes stolen.

Made in Chelsea star has jewellery, camera and clothes stolen as she falls victim to London ‘paint scam’

Exclusive
His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud

No alcohol at all will be allowed at 2034 World Cup, Saudi ambassador tells LBC

Hanukkah Celebration.

Antisemitic incidents have doubled since October 7 attack, says charity protecting British Jews

The Vivienne at RuPaul's Los Angeles DragCon at Los Angeles Convention Center on May 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California

RuPaul’s Drag Race winner The Vivienne found dead in bathroom aged just 32, inquest hears

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Margarita Forés has died at the age of 65

Celebrity chef Margarita Fores 'found dead in Hong Kong hotel room' aged 65

A large police presence remains in place

Man arrested after 36-hour 'bomb hoax' stand-off with armed police at Sheffield apartment block

Titan submersible.

Listen to eerie recording revealing Titan submersible's last moments

Jaysley Beck, 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire after complaining about her "psychotic and possessive" boss.

Soldier, 19, found dead in her room alleged senior officer 'pinned her down and tried to kiss' her months before her death