British lawmaker David Amess dies after church stabbing in eastern England

Issued on: 15/10/2021 – 15:29

Amess, a 69-year-old lawmaker from Johnson’s Conservative Party, was attacked at around midday at a meeting at the red-brick Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, east of London.

Police said a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. They said they recovered a knife and were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Johnson paid tribute to the murdered lawmaker, lauding him as “one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics”.

“All our hearts are full of shock and sadness today at the loss of Sir David Amess MP, who was killed in his constituency surgery in a church after almost 40 years of continuous service to the people of Essex and the whole of the United Kingdom,” the prime minister said. 

“David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future and we have lost today a fine public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague,” he added.

Amess had been a member of the UK parliament since 1983 and was married with five children.

No detail about motive

There was no detail about a motive for the killing, the second fatal attack on a British lawmaker in their constituency in the last five years, which has prompted questions about the safety of politicians.

Essex Police Chief Ben-Julian Harrington said the investigation into the slaying was being led by officers from the specialist counter-terrorism command. “It will be for investigators to determine whether or not this is a terrorist incident,” he told reporters.

Police said they received reports of a stabbing shortly after 12 o’clock local time.

Armed police swooped on the church and paramedics fought to save the lawmaker’s life on the floor of the church – where a sign says “All are welcome here: where old friends meet and strangers feel at home” – but in vain.

“Sadly, he died at the scene,” police said. “A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody. We have recovered a knife from the scene and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.”

John Lamb, a local councillor who was at the scene, told REUTERS that Amess had been stabbed several times.

Reporting from London, FRANCE 24’s correspondent Bénédicte Paviot said the attack was “a rare event, but not unprecedented”. She added: “This raises serious questions about the balance between openness and safety in a democracy”.

‘Devastating, horrific & tragic news’

Colleagues from across parliament expressed their shock and paid tribute to Amess, who held regular meetings with voters on the first and third Friday of the month, saying he was diligent in his duties to his local area.

“This is the most devastating, horrific & tragic news,” former prime minister David Cameron said on Twitter. “Words cannot adequately express the horror of what has happened today.” 

Johnson’s wife, Carrie, said she was devastated. 

“Absolutely devastating news about Sir David Amess. He was hugely kind and good,” she said on Twitter. “An enormous animal lover and a true gent. This is so completely unjust.” 

“Horrific and deeply shocking news. Thinking of David, his family and his staff,” said the leader of the opposition Labour Party, Keir Starmer.

‘An attack on democracy’

Amess was first elected to parliament to represent Basildon in 1983, and then stood for election in Southend West in 1997. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his public service in 2015.

His website lists his main interests as “animal welfare and pro-life issues.”

The stabbing at Amess’ meeting with constituents has echoes of past attacks on UK lawmakers, including the 2016 fatal shooting of Labour’s Jo Cox just days before the Brexit referendum.

“Attacking our elected representatives is an attack on democracy itself,” Cox’s husband Brendan said on Twitter. “There is no excuse, no justification. It is as cowardly as it gets.” 

“This brings everything back. The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us following the loss of Jo,” he added. “I hope we can do the same for David now.”

Another Labour MP, Stephen Timms, was stabbed multiple times during an event in 2010, but recovered from “potentially life-threatening injuries” and is still an MP. 

Timms said he was “appalled” at the latest attack. 

Flags have been lowered in Downing Street following Amess’ killing. 

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)