THE man arrested for the murder of Tory MP Sir David Amess has been named as Ali Harbi Ali - as anti-terror cops were given another six days to quiz him.
The 25-year-old, who is a British national with Somali heritage, had been flagged to the Government Prevent anti-terror scheme but it is understood he was not being probed by MI5.
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Sir David Amess, 69, was knifed to death in a terror attack yesterday Credit: PA 11
Police stand outside the home linked to Ali Harbi Ali in North London 11
Candles were lit and flowers were placed in memory of Sir David outside the church this evening Credit: w8media
The suspect was arrested on Friday at a Methodist church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where the MP for Southend West had been meeting constituents.
Sources confirmed his name to the Sun last night.
It comes after cops discovered Islamist material on his phone and searched three London homes to probe any links he may have to Islamic extremism.
The tragedy comes as...
Sir David Amess killer was on terror alert list and had extremist material on phone Murder suspect’s home on celeb street with ￡2m houses one of three searched by anti-terror cops The suspect allegedly knifed the MP 17 times - and sat calmly while he waited for police to arrive Boris Johnson leads tributes to Sir David - and said ‘our hearts are filled with shock and sadness’ The PM visited the scene of the horror with Sir Keir Starmer and Priti Patel to lay a wreath of white flowers Sir David was asked to stop meeting constituents alone after Jo Cox was murdered - and wrote that similar attacks "could happen to any of us" Mrs Cox's sister says her terrified husband has asked her to step down from politics after the horror Priti Patel launches review into MPs’ safety after killing There were tears at a vigil as friends and constituents remembered the much-loved MP
Meanwhile, security sources told The Mail on Sunday Ali planned his murderous attack more than a week in advance.
Anti-terror cops have now been granted another six days to quiz him by Westminster Magistrates' Court.
It will allow them to hold Ali on suspicion of Sir David's murder until October 22.
In a statement, Scotland Yard said: "Late on Friday, whilst in police custody, the man was subsequently further detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and he is now being held at a London police station.
"On Saturday, detectives were granted a warrant of further detention at Westminster Magistrates' Court, allowing them to keep the man in custody until October 22, when the warrant expires."
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Police confirmed they have attended three addresses in the London area and conducted searches.
Their statement added: "One of these searches has concluded and the others are ongoing."
Officers last night searched Ali's home on a celeb street where houses sell for ￡2million.
The North London street was once home to the late Only Fools And Horses actor Roger Lloyd Pack, while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer lives just streets away.
Sources previously told the Guardian the suspect shares details with a person previously referred to the Government's anti-terror Prevent programme.
The Prevent scheme asks the public and key workers to spot early signs of radicalisation.
'SELF-RADICALISED'
Cops and security services are now examining the theory he was -radicalised online during lockdown.
And they believe the suspect may have been inspired by al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda offshoot operating in Somalia and Kenya.
Ali is understood to have lived in London after his family came to the UK from the war-torn East African country in the 1990s.
It was reported last night he has family ties to Sir David’s Southend West constituency.
His dad Harbi Ali Kullane, a former adviser to the prime minister of Somalia, confirmed that his British-born son was in custody.
He told The Times: “I’m feeling very traumatised. It’s not something that I expected or even dreamt of.”
Urgent background checks are being carried out to establish any potential links with jihadist groups.
The suspect’s health records are also being examined to check on his psychiatric history.
In January 2019 ministers announced the creation of the Independent Review of Prevent as part of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act.
In last years stats there were 6,287 referrals to Prevent - an an increase of 10 per cent compared to the previous year.
It emerged that last year 1,487 (24 per cent) were referred to Prevent over concerns related to Islamist radicalisation and 1,387 (22 per cent) were referred with links to the far right.
Prevent has long been opposed by many Muslim and Islamist groups in the UK including the Muslim Council of Britain.
SILENT ATTACK
Sir David, who represented Southend West in Essex, was attacked just after midday at Belfairs Methodist Church.
His killer waited calmly at a constituency surgery in the church before launching his knife attack — then sat down and waited for cops.
Two female staff watched in horror as the maniac walked up to the 69-year-old Tory and pulled out a blade.
He is said to have stabbed the married dad-of-five up to 17 times — without saying a word — at 12.05pm.
Paramedics frantically battled to save the stricken MP while horrified constituents watched as the suspect was led away from the bloodbath.
However, in spite of their efforts, he died at the scene.
A post-mortem examination took place on Saturday.
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Locals have been visiting the church since yesterday afternoon to pay their respects.
Last night, mourners placed flowers and lit candles outside the church in memory of the beloved MP.
On Saturday morning, Boris Johnson joined Sir Keir Starmer and Priti Patel at the church to lay flowers.
Mr Johnson and Sir Keir both wore black suits and carried white blooms as they walked side-by-side to the church during the unannounced visit at 9am.
Ms Patel, who brought yellow and purple flowers, was dressed in a black coat.
The politicians went to the front of the church individually to pay their respects before returning to their cars, which were escorted by a police convoy.
'TERROR PROBE'
Speaking at a press conference on Friday evening, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said the force will "keep an open mind" in their probe.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has asked all police forces to review security arrangements for MPs “with immediate effect”, a Home Office spokesman said.
It's been confirmed that all politicians will be contacted regarding their security arrangements.
MP Tobias Ellwood has called for all meetings between politicians and constituents to take place over Zoom in the wake of the horror.
The ex Green Jacket, who gave murdered police officer Keith Palmer CPR during the Westminster terror attack, said: "MP engagement with the public is a vital part of our work.
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"But [it's] understandable [there's] huge anxiety amongst MPs now.
"Until the Home Secretary's review of MP security is complete, I would recommend a temporary pause in face-to-face meetings."
However, former Cabinet minister David Davis said such a move would be a "terrible reflection of what David stood for".
He told Sky News: "I don't think we should do that. I'm sorry, I disagree with Tobias on that.
"I don't think David would (agree) either.
"Sure, we should be cautious, maybe we should do things to ensure the people who come to see us are bona fide, but I think actually pausing it would be a bad idea.
"It would be a terrible reflection of what David stood for - David himself was the ultimate constituency MP.
"You can see that in the response of people in his constituency."
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Officers pictured guarding the property where suspect Ali Harbi Ali lives on Saturday night Credit: The Sun 11
Police outside Belfairs Methodist Church Credit: Paul Edwards 11
Officers were among those who attended a vigil for Sir David on Saturday Credit: w8media 11
People held blue balloons in his honour over the weekend Credit: Reuters 11
Sir David Amess was stabbed to death in Essex 11
Sir David Amess with his wife Julie at daughter Alexandra's wedding with his other girls as bridesmaids 11
Sir David is seen discussing Brexit with the PM in 2016
More than 100 attend vigil for Sir David Amess after MP, 69, stabbed to death in horror attack at constituency surgery
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