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Sir David Amess stabbing: What we know so far | Sir David Amess stabbing: What we know so far |
(about 4 hours later) | |
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. | 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. |
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 British 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. |
Government sources have told the BBC he is a UK national who, from initial inquiries, appears to be of Somali heritage. | 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 at an Essex police station and officers have said they are 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. |
What was the motive? | What was the motive? |
The attack has been declared a terrorist incident. | 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". | 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. | 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? |
The Met Police say officers are carrying out searches at two addresses in London. | The Met Police say officers are carrying out searches at two addresses in London. |
They have also appealed for any witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage to come forward. | They have also appealed for any witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage to come forward. |
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". | 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." |
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. |
Tributes paid to Sir David Amess | Tributes paid to Sir David Amess |
Sir David was a champion for the town he represented |