This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58935372

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Sir David Amess killing was terrorism, police say Sir David Amess killing was terrorism, police say
(33 minutes later)
The killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess is being treated as a terrorist incident by police.The killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess is being treated as a terrorist incident by police.
Sir David was stabbed multiple times at his constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex on Friday.Sir David was stabbed multiple times at his constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex on Friday.
The Metropolitan Police said there was a potential link to Islamist extremism. A 25-year-old British man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.The Metropolitan Police said there was a potential link to Islamist extremism. A 25-year-old British man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.
Home Secretary Priti Patel paid tribute to Sir David as a "man of the people" who was "killed doing a job he loved".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer laid flowers at the scene together on Saturday morning.Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer laid flowers at the scene together on Saturday morning.
Home Secretary Priti Patel and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also paid their respects outside Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea. Ms Patel and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also paid their respects outside Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.
Speaking later, Ms Patel paid tribute to Sir David as a "man of the people", saying "he was absolutely there for everyone" and was "killed doing a job he loved".
"We are all struggling to come to terms with the fact that David Amess has been so cruelly taken away from all of us," she said, adding: "All our thoughts right now are absolutely with David and David's dear, dear family."
The Met said officers are carrying out searches at two addresses in the London area and are not seeking anyone else over the death.
The force believes the man, who is in custody in Essex, acted alone but inquiries into the circumstances of the incident are continuing.
Government sources have told the BBC he is a British national who, from initial inquiries, appears to be of Somali heritage.
Follow live updatesFollow live updates
How a tragic day unfolded in Leigh-on-SeaHow a tragic day unfolded in Leigh-on-Sea
Tributes to much-loved MP Sir David AmessTributes to much-loved MP Sir David Amess
MPs express fears after Sir David's killingMPs express fears after Sir David's killing
Laura Kuenssberg: Tragic reminder of risks to MPs
Did you witness the attack? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Did you witness the attack? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Speaking a short time later, Ms Patel said: "We are all struggling to come to terms with the fact that David Amess has been so cruelly taken away from all of us."
She said Sir David "was absolutely there for everyone, he was a much loved parliamentarian, to me he was a dear and loyal friend, but also he was a devoted husband and father".
Ms Patel, who has asked police forces to immediately review security arrangements for MPs, maintained a balance could be found, saying: "We cannot be cowed by any individual or any motivation... to stop us from functioning."
Labour's Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Johnson laid floral tributes on Saturday at the scene of the attack
Home Secretary Priti Patel and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also paid their respects
The Met said officers are carrying out searches at two addresses in the London area and are not seeking anyone else over the death.
The force believes the man, who is in custody in Essex, acted alone but inquiries into the circumstances of the incident are continuing.
Government sources have told the BBC he is a British national who, from initial inquiries, appears to be of Somali heritage.
Scotland Yard's decision that the killing of Sir David Amess was an act of terrorism confirms that, on the basis of what they know so far, the killer was motivated to use violence to further their cause.
There's no public suggestion from investigations at the moment that there is a specific additional threat to MPs - but detectives and colleagues in MI5 will be delving deeply into the life of the suspect to understand how he reached this mindset and whether this was an attack by a "lone actor" or someone who is part of a network.
Secondly, it confirms the initial conclusion that there would need to be more resources thrown at the investigation.
Behind the scenes a wider range of detectives and support staff will now have been brought into action. If officers have recovered the suspect's mobile phone, they will now be forensically examining its contents to uncover potential evidence of mindset and planning.
A phone - and any bank cards - will also help detectives track the suspect's movements in the days and weeks before the incident. That in turn leads them to CCTV so they can build a three-dimensional view of his life.
Sir David, 69, who represented Southend West, was holding a constituency surgery - where voters can meet their MP and discuss concerns - at the church on Friday when he was attacked at 12:05 BST.Sir David, 69, who represented Southend West, was holding a constituency surgery - where voters can meet their MP and discuss concerns - at the church on Friday when he was attacked at 12:05 BST.
Essex Police Chief Constable BJ Harrington said Sir David was "simply dispensing his duties when his life was horrifically cut short".
Counter-terrorism officers are working with Essex Police and the Eastern Region Specialist Operations Unit.
"The fatal stabbing in Leigh-on-Sea has tonight been declared as a terrorist incident, with the investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing," the Met said."The fatal stabbing in Leigh-on-Sea has tonight been declared as a terrorist incident, with the investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing," the Met said.
"The early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism.""The early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism."
Officers are appealing for anyone with any information or with footage from CCTV, dash cams or video doorbell, to contact them.Officers are appealing for anyone with any information or with footage from CCTV, dash cams or video doorbell, to contact them.
Labour's Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Johnson laid floral tributes on Saturday at the scene of the attack
Home Secretary Priti Patel and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also paid their respects
'Senseless attack'
The home secretary has asked police forces to immediately review security arrangements for MPs, saying the killing represented "a senseless attack on democracy itself".
Ms Patel added that "questions are rightly being asked about the safety of our country's elected representatives".
Sir David had been an MP since 1983 and was married with five children. He is the second serving MP to be killed in the past five years, following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.Sir David had been an MP since 1983 and was married with five children. He is the second serving MP to be killed in the past five years, following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson described him as "one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics". Watch the Home Secretary Priti Patel pay tribute to her "friend" and "neighbour" MP Sir David Amess
Security concerns routine in 21st Century politics Paying tribute to Sir David on Friday, the prime minister described him as "one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics".
We expect the MPs we elect to see us in person, not to hide behind Parliament's ornate gates and wood-panelled walls.
That demand is met gladly by the vast majority of MPs.
But, increasingly, the job has been accompanied by abuse, intimidation - and risk for MPs and their staff.
One member of the cabinet told me today: "Everyone has had a threat... everyone has had frightening moments."
Dealing with harassment, coping with security concerns and reporting those concerns to the police, is sadly routine in politics in the 21st Century.
It is inevitable in the coming days that there will be calls for a kinder atmosphere at Westminster, and cooler heads in real life, and online.
It is not, however, inevitable that anything at all will change.
Read more from Laura
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told BBC Two's Newsnight police were contacting all MPs to check on their security and reassure them.House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told BBC Two's Newsnight police were contacting all MPs to check on their security and reassure them.
He went ahead with his own constituency surgery on Friday evening, saying it was essential MPs retained their relationship with their constituents.He went ahead with his own constituency surgery on Friday evening, saying it was essential MPs retained their relationship with their constituents.
"We have got to make sure that democracy survives this," he said.
Obituary: Sir David AmessObituary: Sir David Amess
Watch: Political world pays tribute to Sir David AmessWatch: Political world pays tribute to Sir David Amess
Town in grief: 'David Amess was my best friend'Town in grief: 'David Amess was my best friend'
But Conservative MP Tobias Elwood - who came to the aid of a stabbed police officer during a terror attack in Westminster in 2017 - told the BBC he would recommend MPs temporarily stop having face-to-face meetings with constituents.But Conservative MP Tobias Elwood - who came to the aid of a stabbed police officer during a terror attack in Westminster in 2017 - told the BBC he would recommend MPs temporarily stop having face-to-face meetings with constituents.
"You can move to Zoom... you can actually achieve an awful lot over the telephone," he said on Radio 4's World Tonight."You can move to Zoom... you can actually achieve an awful lot over the telephone," he said on Radio 4's World Tonight.
And Kim Leadbeater, the sister of Mrs Cox and MP for Batley and Spen, said her partner had asked her to stand down from her role following Sir David's death.And Kim Leadbeater, the sister of Mrs Cox and MP for Batley and Spen, said her partner had asked her to stand down from her role following Sir David's death.
Who was Sir David Amess?Who was Sir David Amess?
A Conservative backbencher for nearly 40 years, Sir David entered Parliament in 1983 as the MP for Basildon.A Conservative backbencher for nearly 40 years, Sir David entered Parliament in 1983 as the MP for Basildon.
He held the seat in 1992, but switched to nearby Southend West at the 1997 election.He held the seat in 1992, but switched to nearby Southend West at the 1997 election.
Raised as a Roman Catholic, he was known politically as a social conservative and as a prominent campaigner against abortion and on animal welfare issues.Raised as a Roman Catholic, he was known politically as a social conservative and as a prominent campaigner against abortion and on animal welfare issues.
He was also known for his championing of Southend, including a long-running campaign to win city status for the town.He was also known for his championing of Southend, including a long-running campaign to win city status for the town.
Read more here.Read more here.
Tributes have been paid to Sir David from across politics and within his local community.Tributes have been paid to Sir David from across politics and within his local community.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had an "outstanding record of passing laws to help the most vulnerable", adding "we've lost today a fine public servant and a much loved-friend and colleague".Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had an "outstanding record of passing laws to help the most vulnerable", adding "we've lost today a fine public servant and a much loved-friend and colleague".
Boris Johnson said Sir David Amess was one of the "kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics"Boris Johnson said Sir David Amess was one of the "kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics"
Father Jeff Woolnough, parish priest at nearby St Peter's Catholic Church, led a mass on Friday evening in memory of Sir David, who he called "Mr Southend".Father Jeff Woolnough, parish priest at nearby St Peter's Catholic Church, led a mass on Friday evening in memory of Sir David, who he called "Mr Southend".
He described him as a "great, great guy" and said faith communities had "lost their greatest supporter".He described him as a "great, great guy" and said faith communities had "lost their greatest supporter".
Southend councillor John Lamb said Sir David was "a very good, hard working constituency MP who worked for everyone".Southend councillor John Lamb said Sir David was "a very good, hard working constituency MP who worked for everyone".
And Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was a "dark and shocking day", adding that the country had "been here before" with the death of Jo Cox.And Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was a "dark and shocking day", adding that the country had "been here before" with the death of Jo Cox.
Sir David was a prominent campaigner on animal welfare issuesSir David was a prominent campaigner on animal welfare issues
Constituent Ruth Verrinder (right) and former councillor and mayor Judith McMahon (left) were at St Michael and All Angels Church to light a candleConstituent Ruth Verrinder (right) and former councillor and mayor Judith McMahon (left) were at St Michael and All Angels Church to light a candle
Were you in the area? Did you witness the attack? If you feel able to do so please get in touch. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Were you in the area? Did you witness the attack? If you feel able to do so please get in touch. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSayTweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
Upload pictures or videoUpload pictures or video
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policyPlease read our terms & conditions and privacy policy