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Sir David Amess stabbing: What we know so far | Sir David Amess stabbing: What we know so far |
(30 minutes later) | |
Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after being stabbed at his constituency surgery in Essex. | Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after being stabbed at his constituency surgery in Essex. |
Here's how the attack unfolded and what we know so far. | Here's how the attack unfolded and what we know so far. |
What happened? | What happened? |
The MP for Southend West was meeting constituents at a regular surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, when he was stabbed several times. | The MP for Southend West was meeting constituents at a regular surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, when he was stabbed several times. |
Police were called to Eastwood Road North shortly after 12:05 BST on Friday, where they found Sir David injured. | Police were called to Eastwood Road North shortly after 12:05 BST on Friday, where they found Sir David injured. |
He was treated by emergency services but died at the scene. | He was treated by emergency services but died at the scene. |
Aerial footage showed multiple police officers outside the church and an air ambulance was seen. | Aerial footage showed multiple police officers outside the church and an air ambulance was seen. |
Follow live updates | Follow live updates |
Conservative MP dies after stabbing | Conservative MP dies after stabbing |
Obituary: Conservative MP Sir David Amess | Obituary: Conservative MP Sir David Amess |
Who is the suspect? | Who is the suspect? |
A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after officers arrived at the scene and a knife was recovered, Essex Police said. | A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after officers arrived at the scene and a knife was recovered, Essex Police said. |
He is in custody and police said they were not looking for anyone else. | He is in custody and police said they were not looking for anyone else. |
Police have appealed for any witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage to come forward. | Police have appealed for any witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage to come forward. |
What did witnesses see? | What did witnesses see? |
Anthony Finch, who was working nearby, told Sky News: "We arrived to do some work on the adjacent building... and at the point when I was crossing the road I saw an upset lady on the phone saying 'you need to arrive quickly, he's still in the building.'" | Anthony Finch, who was working nearby, told Sky News: "We arrived to do some work on the adjacent building... and at the point when I was crossing the road I saw an upset lady on the phone saying 'you need to arrive quickly, he's still in the building.'" |
He said he had seen armed police, as well as an air ambulance and police helicopter. He told LBC: "It's very odd and it's very distressing, that's for sure." | He said he had seen armed police, as well as an air ambulance and police helicopter. He told LBC: "It's very odd and it's very distressing, that's for sure." |
Lee Jordison, who works for a local butchers and was on the scene shortly after the stabbing, told the BBC everyone in the area was in a state of shock. | Lee Jordison, who works for a local butchers and was on the scene shortly after the stabbing, told the BBC everyone in the area was in a state of shock. |
"Something like this doesn't happen - not in all the years I've been round this way." | "Something like this doesn't happen - not in all the years I've been round this way." |
Who was Sir David Amess? | Who was Sir David Amess? |
Sir David, who was married with five children, served as an MP for 38 years, initially in Basildon from 1983, before representing Southend West from 1997. | Sir David, who was married with five children, served as an MP for 38 years, initially in Basildon from 1983, before representing Southend West from 1997. |
Raised as a Roman Catholic, he was known politically as a social conservative and a prominent campaigner against abortion. He was also a committed campaigner on animal welfare issues, and supported a ban on fox hunting. | Raised as a Roman Catholic, he was known politically as a social conservative and a prominent campaigner against abortion. He was also a committed campaigner on animal welfare issues, and supported a ban on fox hunting. |
The 69-year-old was a Brexit supporter and vocal champion for the town he represented, particularly in his long-running campaign to make Southend a city. He launched a new bid last month, after a city status competition was announced to mark the Queen's platinum jubilee next year. | |
Sir David said at the time: "Southend is unique and city status would provide long overdue recognition of what we have to offer." | |
While he was never a minister, he was a member of numerous Commons committees, including the Health and Social Care and Backbench Business Committee. | While he was never a minister, he was a member of numerous Commons committees, including the Health and Social Care and Backbench Business Committee. |
Born in Plaistow in east London in 1952, he went to school in London and taught at a school in the city. He was a recruitment consultant before becoming an MP. | Born in Plaistow in east London in 1952, he went to school in London and taught at a school in the city. He was a recruitment consultant before becoming an MP. |
He was knighted in the 2015 New Year's Honours List for political and public service. | He was knighted in the 2015 New Year's Honours List for political and public service. |
Sir David was a champion for the town he represented | Sir David was a champion for the town he represented |
How have people reacted? | How have people reacted? |
Flags are flying at half mast at Downing Street and tributes are coming in from across the political spectrum. | Flags are flying at half mast at Downing Street and tributes are coming in from across the political spectrum. |
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said "our hearts are full of shock and sadness" and that Sir David was "one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics". | Prime Minister Boris Johnson said "our hearts are full of shock and sadness" and that Sir David was "one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics". |
He had a record of "passing laws to help the most vulnerable" in society and "believed passionately in this country and in its future". | He had a record of "passing laws to help the most vulnerable" in society and "believed passionately in this country and in its future". |
"We've lost today a fine public servant and a much loved friend and colleague," he said. | "We've lost today a fine public servant and a much loved friend and colleague," he said. |
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Today is a dark and a shocking day - the more so because heartbreakingly, we've been here before." | |
He said that "informed by his faith, Sir David had a profound sense of public duty and he was highly respected and much liked across the Houses of Parliament, on all sides". | |
He called for people to come together to show "violence, intimidation and threats will never prevail". | |
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she was "devastated" and that Sir David was a "lovely, lovely man and a superb parliamentarian". | Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she was "devastated" and that Sir David was a "lovely, lovely man and a superb parliamentarian". |
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said he was "heartbroken", adding: "A great common sense politician and a formidable campaigner with a big heart, and tremendous generosity of spirit - including towards those he disagreed with. RIP my friend." | Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said he was "heartbroken", adding: "A great common sense politician and a formidable campaigner with a big heart, and tremendous generosity of spirit - including towards those he disagreed with. RIP my friend." |
Health Secretary Sajid Javid described him as "a great man, a great friend, and a great MP" while former Conservative prime minister David Cameron added: "This is the most devastating, horrific and tragic news. | Health Secretary Sajid Javid described him as "a great man, a great friend, and a great MP" while former Conservative prime minister David Cameron added: "This is the most devastating, horrific and tragic news. |
"David Amess was a kind and thoroughly decent man - and he was the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet." | "David Amess was a kind and thoroughly decent man - and he was the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet." |
Fellow former prime ministers also gave their reaction. Sir John Major said: "This is truly heartbreaking news of a good and decent man who - for over 30 years - was a dedicated public servant. My heart goes out to his family." | |
And Theresa May said he was "a decent man and respected Parliamentarian, killed in his own community while carrying out his public duties. A tragic day for our democracy". | |
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said it was "tragic" news and "a truly terrible day for British politics". | |
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was "deeply saddened" at the "truly despicable and horrifying act". | Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was "deeply saddened" at the "truly despicable and horrifying act". |
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said: "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." | First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said: "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." |
Outside of politics, Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols said Sir David's death "creates a painful loss in so many lives". He described the MP as someone who "carried out his vocation as a Catholic in public life with generosity and integrity". | Outside of politics, Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols said Sir David's death "creates a painful loss in so many lives". He described the MP as someone who "carried out his vocation as a Catholic in public life with generosity and integrity". |
And Brendan Cox, whose wife Jo Cox MP was murdered in 2016, said: "My thoughts and love are with David's family. They are all that matter now. | And Brendan Cox, whose wife Jo Cox MP was murdered in 2016, said: "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." | "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." |