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Sir David Amess: Tributes to much-loved MP who has died after being stabbed Sir David Amess: Tributes to much-loved MP who has died after being stabbed
(about 13 hours later)
Politicians have paid tribute to Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who has died after being stabbed in his constituency in Essex. Tributes have been pouring in to Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who has died after being stabbed in his constituency in Essex.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was one of the "one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics".Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was one of the "one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics".
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the "much-loved" MP was a "bright light of Parliament".Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the "much-loved" MP was a "bright light of Parliament".
And Labour's Sir Keir Starmer hailed his "profound sense of public duty".And Labour's Sir Keir Starmer hailed his "profound sense of public duty".
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said they were "shocked and saddened" by the death of Sir David, who "dedicated 40 years of his life to serving his community".
Sir David was stabbed whilst holding a constituency surgery, where voters can meet their local MP and discuss concerns.Sir David was stabbed whilst holding a constituency surgery, where voters can meet their local MP and discuss concerns.
Police said a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after the attack at a church in Leigh-on-Sea. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after the attack at a church in Leigh-on-Sea. Police are treating the killing as a terrorist incident.
Tory MP Sir David Amess stabbed to death Killing of MP Sir David Amess was terrorism, say police
Obituary: Conservative MP Sir David AmessObituary: Conservative MP Sir David Amess
Town in grief: 'David Amess was my best friend'Town in grief: 'David Amess was my best friend'
A Conservative backbencher for nearly 40 years, Sir David entered Parliament as the MP for Basildon following the 1983 general election.A Conservative backbencher for nearly 40 years, Sir David entered Parliament as the MP for Basildon following the 1983 general election.
He switched seats in 1997, when he was elected MP for nearby Southend West - the Essex constituency he represented until his death.He switched seats in 1997, when he was elected MP for nearby Southend West - the Essex constituency he represented until his death.
The community has been left stunned by the events of the past few hours
His constituents have spoken of their shock at his killing, with residents choking back tears as they spilled on to the streets after his death.His constituents have spoken of their shock at his killing, with residents choking back tears as they spilled on to the streets after his death.
Father Jeff Woolnough - a parish priest in Sir David's constituency said the MP had "that great ability to communicate at all different levels".
"Through that wonderful smile he could placate and just settle an awkward discussion very quickly - it is a great gift."
'Photographic memory'
Conservative councillor Kevin Buck said the MP had "died doing what he loved - meeting the people and helping the people".
Speaking to BBC Essex, Judith Canham, the former deputy chair of the Southend West Conservative Association, said Sir David had a "photographic memory".
"Sometimes I'd be out canvassing with him and he'd see someone he hadn't seen for a long time and he'd say 'how was your hip operation?'."
Fellow Tory MP Andrew Rosindell said Sir David was his "oldest friend" in Parliament, and he felt "sick inside at what has happened".Fellow Tory MP Andrew Rosindell said Sir David was his "oldest friend" in Parliament, and he felt "sick inside at what has happened".
"We've all lost a very special person in our lives," he added."We've all lost a very special person in our lives," he added.
Boris Johnson: Sir David Amess was one of the "kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics"Boris Johnson: Sir David Amess was one of the "kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics"
Mr Johnson said Sir David was "a fine public servant and a much loved friend and colleague" who "believed passionately in this country".Mr Johnson said Sir David was "a fine public servant and a much loved friend and colleague" who "believed passionately in this country".
He also praised his "outstanding record" of campaigning in Parliament, where he was known for his activism on animal welfare. The PM also praised his "outstanding record" of campaigning in Parliament, where he was known for his activism on animal welfare.
Mr Johnson's immediate predecessor Theresa May said his death was "heartbreaking" and a "tragic day for our democracy". Mr Johnson's predecessor Theresa May said his death was "heartbreaking" and a "tragic day for our democracy".
She added that Sir David was a "decent man and respected parliamentarian, killed in his own community while carrying out his public duties".She added that Sir David was a "decent man and respected parliamentarian, killed in his own community while carrying out his public duties".
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab also paid tribute to a "great common sense politician" who had showed a "tremendous generosity of spirit - including towards those he disagreed with".Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab also paid tribute to a "great common sense politician" who had showed a "tremendous generosity of spirit - including towards those he disagreed with".
'Talk to anybody''Talk to anybody'
Former Prime Minister David Cameron called Sir David a "thoroughly decent man" and "the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet". Former prime minister David Cameron called Sir David a "thoroughly decent man" and "the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet".
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay said Sir David had built a "built a reputation for kindness and generosity" during his decades-long career as an MP.Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay said Sir David had built a "built a reputation for kindness and generosity" during his decades-long career as an MP.
Sir Lindsay confirmed that MPs would be given time to pay tribute to Sir David in the Commons, when they return from recess on Monday.Sir Lindsay confirmed that MPs would be given time to pay tribute to Sir David in the Commons, when they return from recess on Monday.
His predecessor as Speaker, John Bercow, said Sir David was a "wonderful loving human being" and "quintessentially a constituency parliamentarian". His predecessor as speaker, John Bercow, said Sir David was a "wonderful loving human being" and "quintessentially a constituency parliamentarian".
"He could talk to and hear from and engage with anybody, from a monarch to the local milk person," he added."He could talk to and hear from and engage with anybody, from a monarch to the local milk person," he added.
Sir David is the second MP to be killed in the past five years, following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.Sir David is the second MP to be killed in the past five years, following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.
She was killed outside a library in Birstall, West Yorkshire, where she was due to hold a constituency surgery.She was killed outside a library in Birstall, West Yorkshire, where she was due to hold a constituency surgery.
Jo Cox's sister Kim Leadbeater, who is now the Labour MP for the Batley seat she represented, said she was "totally shocked to think that something so horrific could happen again to another MP and family".Jo Cox's sister Kim Leadbeater, who is now the Labour MP for the Batley seat she represented, said she was "totally shocked to think that something so horrific could happen again to another MP and family".
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Sir David was a "thoroughly decent man, who was well-liked across parties and the House of Commons."SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Sir David was a "thoroughly decent man, who was well-liked across parties and the House of Commons."