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Sir David Amess stabbing: What we know so far Sir David Amess stabbing: What we know so far
(about 8 hours 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 multiple times at his Essex constituency surgery, in what police are treating as a terrorist incident.
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.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.
Police were called to Eastwood Road North shortly after 12:05 BST on Friday, where they found Sir David with multiple injuries.Police were called to Eastwood Road North shortly after 12:05 BST on Friday, where they found Sir David with multiple injuries.
He was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.He was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.
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Conservative MP dies after stabbingConservative MP dies after stabbing
Obituary: Conservative MP Sir David AmessObituary: 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 British man was arrested on suspicion of murder after officers arrived at the scene, and a knife was recovered, Essex Police said.
He is a British national who, from initial inquiries, appears to be of Somali heritage, government sources have told the BBC. Government sources have told the BBC he is a UK national who, from initial inquiries, appears to be of Somali heritage.
He is in custody and police said they were not looking for anyone else. He is in custody at an Essex police station and officers have said they are not looking for anyone else.
Police have appealed for any witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage to come forward. What was the motive?
The attack has been declared a terrorist incident.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command are leading the investigation and police have said the early investigation has revealed "a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism".
The force says it is believed the man acted alone but enquiries into the circumstances are continuing.
What else are police saying?What else are police saying?
Ben-Julian Harrington, chief constable of Essex Police, said officers arrived on the scene within minutes of being alerted. The Met Police say officers are carrying out searches at two addresses in London.
The investigation is in its "very early stages" and is being led by officers from Scotland Yard's specialist Counter Terrorism Command. It will be for investigators to determine whether it was a terrorist incident and police will "keep an open mind", said Mr Harrington. They have also appealed for any witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage to come forward.
He said Sir David had dedicated his life to serving communities of Essex and Southend - and was "simply dispensing his duties when his life was horrifically cut short". Essex Police chief constable BJ Harrington said Sir David had dedicated his life to serving the communities of Essex and Southend - and was "simply dispensing his duties when his life was horrifically cut short".
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."
What was the motive?
Dominic Casciani, BBC Home Affairs correspondent, said: "Scotland Yard detectives and the security service MI5 are assisting Essex Police - but there's no confirmation that this was an act of terrorism.
"What that means is that they are keeping an open mind - at the earliest stages of an investigation, good police work requires officers to follow the evidence, rather than inadvertently narrowing down the avenues open to them to establish why an attack happened.
"In the hours to come, murder squad detectives will be interviewing the man who is in custody on suspicion of murder - he was held at the scene and there is no suggestion that he was detained after any kind of struggle.
"Other teams will be going to the man's home to carry out a search and also downloading communications from any devices he may own. That communication evidence may be critical to establishing motive and mindset."
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.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.
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 representedSir 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".
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Today is a dark and a shocking day - the more so because heartbreakingly, we've been here before."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 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".
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said: "We are shocked and saddened by the murder of Sir David Amess, who dedicated 40 years of his life to serving his community.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said: "We are shocked and saddened by the murder of Sir David Amess, who dedicated 40 years of his life to serving his community.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues.""Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues."
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.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."
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".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".
Tributes paid to Sir David AmessTributes paid to Sir David Amess