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United Kingdom / African Diaspora
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Sir David Amess,69, MP has been stabbed to death at the constituency meeting where he regularly meets with his constituents.
Armed cops swooped on the church in Leigh-on-Sea after the 69-year-old, who represents Southend West in Essex, was attacked just after midday.
The 25-year-old knifeman is understood to have stormed the Belfairs Methodist Church and stabbed Sir David several times.
Horrified constituents watched as the suspect was led away from the bloodbath as paramedics frantically battled to save the minister.
The Essex Police affirmed that they were called to reports of a stabbing in Leigh-on-Sea at 12:05 BST and a man was arrested on suspicion of delivering the fatal knife wounds.
The Essex Police recovered a knife and said they were not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.
Former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said he was “praying for a full recovery”.
He wrote on Twitter: “My thoughts are with David Amess MP and his family at this awful time.
“Praying for a full recovery following this appalling, shocking news. This angry, violent behaviour cannot be tolerated in politics or any other walk of life.”
Although an air ambulance was sent to the scene, however, it was later found out that the amiable and experienced MP had passed on.
The 69-year-old, who is MP for Southend West, was stabbed as he met constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church.
Southend councillor John Lamb, who was at the scene after the stabbing, said Sir David was a family man, with four daughters and a son.
“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,” Mr Lamb said.
He further said that the MP was operated on at the scene by the medics before being airlifted to the hospital. been taken to hospital.
Mr Lamb said he was still waiting to hear the extent of Sir David’s injuries, but understood the MP was in a “very serious” condition.
The Jo Cox Foundation, the charity set up in memory of the MP who was murdered in 2016, said it was “horrified” by the stabbing.
“We are thinking of him, his family and loved ones at this distressing time,” the foundation said.
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was thinking of Sir David, his family and his staff after the “horrific and deeply shocking news”.
One Too Many
The murder of Sir David Amess, 69, MP is the third time an MP has been murdered in the UK. Murdered five years after MP Jo Cox was gunned down and killed on her way to a constituency surgery in Batley and Spen by Thomas Mair,53, in 2016.
It should be noted that in 1990, Conservative MP Ian Gow was killed by an IRA car bomb outside his home in Hankham, East Sussex.
Thomas Mair was handed life imprisonment with whole life order.
Jo’s husband Brendan Cox said: “Attacking our elected representatives is an attack on democracy itself.
“There is no excuse, no justification. It is as cowardly as it gets.”
The Jo Cox Foundation, which was started after the MP’s murder, said: “The Jo Cox Foundation is horrified to hear the news of the attack on Sir David Amess MP.
“We are thinking of him, his family and loved ones at this distressing time.”
Arrest Made
The Essex Police confirmed that a 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of the MP of Southend West, and also said that they are not looking for anyone else.
The force said: “We were called to an address in Eastwood Road North shortly after 12.05 pm today (Friday 15 October).
“We attended and found a man injured.
“He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene.
“A 25-year-old man was quickly arrested after officers arrived at the scene on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered.”
Horrified witnesses told how gun cops “completely and utterly swamped” the quiet seaside town following the killing.
One said: “I saw someone get taken out the building, put into the back of a police car.
“Apparently he was stabbed quite a few times.
“It’s very hard, it’s very distressing that’s for sure.”
Anthony Finch said of Sir David Amess: “He is a good friend of my wife’s father, it’s pretty upsetting.
“I just hope to God that he pulls through and he can come out of this.
“It’s devastating to witness something like this. you read it in the news, you never experience it.
“It’s devastating and very sad. I feel for his family, I hope they are OK.”
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Broad Reactions from the Political Class
Devastated and stunned MPs have condemned the horror as the horrific news spread today.
A planned interview with Boris Johnson which was due to take place today has also been cancelled.
His wife Carrie was among the first to lead tributes to Sir David, saying: “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.”
Judith Cannon, deputy chair of the local conservative club and friend of Sir David 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.
“We love him dearly. Nobody is perfect but he is as near perfect as it’s possible to be.”
Councillor John Lamb described Sir David as an “amicable” family man.
He said: “He’s a family man, he’s got four daughters and a son.
“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.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid tweeted: “Devastated to learn of Sir David Amess’ murder. A great man, a great friend, and a great MP were 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.”
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Elected representatives from across the political spectrum will be united in sadness and shock today.
“In a democracy, politicians must be accessible and open to scrutiny, but no one deserves to have their life taken while working for and representing their constituents.”
Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said: “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.”
History of Violent Attacks on Members of the Parliament (MPs).
Below is the list of MPs that have been attacked or even killed during the course of discharging their democratically elected duties, as follows:
Jo Cox
Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered in June 2016 by right-wing fanatic Thomas Mair as she was on her way to a constituency surgery in Batley and Spen.
Her murder, which came just days before the EU referendum, sparked a national outcry and prompted politicians to massively ramp up their security.
Mair was jailed for life for the attack.
Stephen Timms
In 2010, Labour MP Stephen Timms was stabbed by a woman who claimed she was seeking revenge for his support of the Iraq War at his constituency surgery in east London.
His attacker, Roshonara Choudhry, 21 a radicalised student, stabbed Mr Timms twice in the stomach before his assistant managed to drag her off.
The surgeon who operated on him described the injuries he suffered as “potentially life-threatening”.
Nigel Jones
Lib Dem MP Nigel Jones was stabbed and his assistant, Andy Pennington, murdered when a man brandishing a sword burst into his constituency and attacked him in 2000.
Attacker Robert Ashman spent 8 years in a secure hospital for the attack.
Sir David has been MP for Southend West since 1997 and first entered parliament in 1983.
Anyone with information or CCTV footage has been asked to call police on 101 quoting incident 445 of 15 October.
