The Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after he was stabbed multiple times at his constituency surgery.

       Sir David, the MP for Southend West in Essex, was attacked on Friday at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.

       Paramedics tried for two hours to save the 69-year-old father-of-five, but he died of his injuries and figures across the political spectrum have paid tribute to the "irreplaceable" MP.

       Essex Police said a 25-year-old man had been arrested, and officers were not looking for anybody else in connection with the incident.

       Follow the latest below.

       MPs cried as they remembered their colleague's spirit and contribution to public life.

       Through tears, one told The Telegraph: "He was such a wonderful, golden-hearted man. I just feel really very sad."

       Former prime minster Theresa May said: "Heartbreaking to hear of the death of Sir David Amess.

       "A decent man and respected Parliamentarian, killed in his own community while carrying out his public duties.

       "A tragic day for our democracy. My thoughts and prayers are with David’s family."

       Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing, who is MP for nearby Epping Forest, said: the news that Sir David Amess had been killed was "utterly devastating".

       She added: "He was such a gentleman, a principled parliamentarian, a devoted father, a devout Christian and a really nice chap.

       "We will all miss him very much. My thoughts are with his family."

       The flag above 10 Downing Street is being lowered to half mast.

       David Garston, a local Conservative councillor, said Sir David Amess was an "irreplaceable" constituency MP whose approachability left him "vulnerable".

       "He was probably one of the best constituency MPs in the country, and because he was so accessible and because he was everywhere, he obviously left himself vulnerable and didn't think twice about it," Mr Garston told the PA news agency.

       The councillor said that when Sir David came to his ward, "you couldn't get very far because he'd stop every hundred yards to talk to somebody".

       He said: "It was always very slow with Sir David but he's paid the price for being so easily got at unfortunately and I just think it's dreadful.

       "The community have lost a really good MP who cared deeply for them and he'll be a very, very hard act to follow. To find an MP like Sir David, who didn't think about ministerial position - he wasn't interested, he was a community man - I would say he's irreplaceable."

       Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: "I am shocked and deeply distressed by the killing of Sir David Amess.

       "David was a lovely man, devoted to his family, to Parliament and his Southend West constituency.

       "He was well-liked by Members and the staff alike, and during his almost four decades here, built a reputation for kindness and generosity.

       "This is an incident that will send shockwaves across the parliamentary community and the whole country.

       "In the coming days we will need to discuss and examine MPs’ security and any measures to be taken, but for now, our thoughts and prayers are with David’s family, friends and colleagues."

       The Prime Minister's motorcade has arrived back at Downing Street, after returning from Bristol where media opportunities to film the start of a meeting were cancelled.

       A large police presence remains on the tree lined street in Southend.

       The road has been cordoned off with police tape in two locations.

       Armed police are outside the Methodist church where the veteran MP was attacked at midday.

       Friends of Sir David have been at the scene paying tributes including Reverend Clifford Newman who said his thoughts were with Sir David’s family.

       "There is no justification for this at all, and there never can be", he said.

       Members of the public including dozens of local school children are stood close to the cordon watching as the investigation continues.

       Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale tweeted: "David and I entered the House together in 1983 and I regard him as a dear friend and a brave and compassionate MP.

       "The loss to his family, who David always put first, and to the House is appalling.

       "But David died doing what David always did - looking after his constituents."

       Shailesh Vara, Conservative MP for North West Cambridgeshire, friend and colleague of Sir David, said the MP "always put his constituents first".

       "David was a lovely man and a dear friend of mine... and today is an enormous tragedy for his loved ones, his friends and actually the whole of Parliament and the nation," he told Sky News.

       "David had been a parliamentarian for nearly 40 years... and was loved by his constituents. He was a determined constituency MP... he was always putting his constituents first.

       "But above all he was a wonderful and lovely man and always had advice to give to people.

       "The tragedy is that he will have left this morning with his usual smile, with his usual good humour, as events have unfolded, he won't be returning home and that is a real, real tragedy for his family."

       Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tweeted: "Devastated to hear the terrible news about Sir David Amess MP.

       "He was a lovely, lovely man and a superb parliamentarian. My thoughts are with all his family and friends."

       Lord Eric Pickles told Sky News: "Obviously it is terribly sad and tragic news. He was a great family man, a great local constituency mp somebody who cared deeply about ethics."

       On constituency surgeries: "Friday mornings and Friday afternoons is a very common time for MPs to have their constituency surgeries. I used to hold mine on a Friday.

       He said: "I used to like to know who was coming to mine," adding that, "if you are being really really blunt sometimes it [the surgeries] attracts obsessives and you need to have a degree of circumspection."

       Face-to-face constituencies had only recently resumed. When asked if we needed to have a discussion again about MPs security, he replied: "No, it is part of the job. It is something you sign up to. "

       He added: "Part of David's accessibility was one of the reasons he was such an effective operator inside parliament and inside politics."

       When pressed on the "it is part of the job" comment and what it says about society, he said: "It is tragic, it is dreadful but it is not normal. That terrible attack on Stephen Timm which pleasingly had a happier outcome. It happens and it may be that MPs may take the basic precautions of getting a name and an address before they see somebody or getting the outline of a case before they see somebody."

       He added: "When you’re dealing with people who are very emotional, who feel like the system has let down, often they’re looking for someone to blame. But if we close up shop, and disappear behind a security bubble, then it’s democracy itself that’ll be the lesser thing.”

       Chancellor Rishi Sunak tweeted: "The worst aspect of violence is its inhumanity. It steals joy from the world and can take from us that which we love the most.

       "Today it took a father, a husband, and a respected colleague. All my thoughts and prayers are with Sir David's loved ones."

       The Prime Minister is to make a statement this afternoon, The Telegraph understands.

       Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, said: "I had the great honour of calling David Amess a friend when I was Bishop of Chelmsford.

       "He was the MP for the constituency where I grew up, and not only did he always faithfully serve those people and that place, but had a particular concern for the Christian community born of his own deeply held Christian faith as a member of the Roman Catholic community.

       "It is shocking that someone so dedicated to his community and public service was the victim of such violence as he went about his elected duty.

       "It is hard to make sense of the horror of what has happened this afternoon but he and his family and those he loves are in my prayers."

       Conservative MP and former Cabinet minister David Davis tweeted: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and staff of Sir David Amess.

       "He was a thoroughly kind and decent man who above all else cared strongly for his constituents and worked hard for them over his distinguished career. We have all lost a good friend."

       Channel 4's Countdown mathematician Rachel Riley, who attended Southend High for Girls, described the suspected murder as "senseless"

       Sir David had repeatedly supported her mother Celia Riley's work with the Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society.

       Riley tweeted: "David Amess has helped support my Mum's local charity work on many occasions, this is senseless. Thinking of him and his family and friends today."

       Alan Dear, chairman of Belfairs Conservatives, said: "I feel sick to be honest. He's a lovely man. I have no idea who might have done this."

       According to Sir David's website, his constituency surgeries are held on the first and third Friday each month from 10am to 1pm.

       The Cabinet was alerted to Sir David's stabbing while holding an away day in the South West this morning, The Telegraph understands.

       Harry Yorke reports that Boris Johnson and senior ministers were informed through official channels of the attack shortly after they convened the meeting at 1pm, according to sources.

       However, the severity of the attack was not clear until the end of the meeting.

       It is understood that Mr Johnson is due to deliver a statement shortly.

       The Conservative Party is also expected to cancel all political campaigning for an unspecified period.

       Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey tweeted: "This is tragic and horrible news. My thoughts are with David's wife and children, the wider family, friends and David's community.

       "A truly terrible day for British politics but most importantly of all our prayers are with all the people who loved David."

       The Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said: "Heartbroken that we have lost Sir David Amess MP.

       "A great common sense politician and a formidable campaigner with a big heart, and tremendous generosity of spirit - including towards those he disagreed with. RIP my friend."

       Responding to the sad death of Sir David Amess MP, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sir David Amess MP. On behalf of the whole of local government, I send our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this extraordinarily difficult time.

       "David was a dedicated MP who worked tirelessly for his constituents and on behalf of everyone in Parliament.

       "As Chairman of the Fire and Safety APPG, he also worked hard alongside many, including councils, to try and improve fire and building safety - a crucial piece of work for so many.

       "Everyone in public life should be able to go about their daily business without fear of attack. To lose his life in such terrible circumstances is tragic."

       Communities Secretary Michael Gove tweeted: "David Amess's passing is heart-breakingly sad. Just terrible, terrible news.

       "He was a good and gentle man, he showed charity and compassion to all, his every word and act were marked by kindness. My heart goes out to his family."

       Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford tweeted: "Deeply saddened to hear about the death of Sir David Amess. A truly despicable and horrifying act.

       "My thoughts are with his friends, family, and constituency staff during this distressing time."

       Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said: "Shocked and deeply saddened to hear this terrible news.

       "Sir David was one of the kindest, most decent and deeply committed politicians I’ve ever known.

       "It was an honour to call him a friend. My thoughts are with his loved ones during this awful time."

       Health Secretary Sajid Javid tweeted: "Devastated to learn of Sir David Amess' murder. A great man, a great friend, and a great MP killed while fulfilling his democratic role.

       "My heart goes out to Julia, his family, and all who loved him. Let us remember him and what he did with his life."

       Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps described Sir David Amess as "a true parliamentarian".

       He tweeted: "Awful, tragic news about David.

       "A dedicated, thoughtful man and a true Parliamentarian, who lost his life while serving the constituents who he worked relentlessly for throughout his career.

       "My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."

       Conservative MP for Chatham and Aylesford Tracey Crouch tweeted: "Heartbroken. I could write reams on how Sir David was one of the kindest, most compassionate, well liked colleagues in Parliament. But I can't. I feel sick. I am lost.

       "Rest in Peace. A little light went out in Parliament today. We will miss you."

       Judith Canham, deputy chair of the local Conservative club, said Sir David was a "true constituency MP" and a "friend to everyone".

       "I just can't believe it, how anybody could harm a kind man like David I don't know," she told Sky News.

       "Words can't say, he's such a lovely man who is liked across the parties... he gets on with everybody.

       "I cannot understand how anybody could be so wicked and cruel to hurt this kind man.

       "He is a true constituency MP. If there has been anything going on in the town, functions... anything really that he's been invited to, he's always turned up to give his support.

       "He's a friend to everyone, he has his strong opinions... (but) he's got a photographic memory and seems to remember everyone and took an interest in everybody.

       "I'm terribly in shock. I burst into tears as soon as I heard because we do love him dearly.

       "Nobody's perfect in life but he's as near perfect as a constituency member of Parliament. I'm just praying... we need him and the country needs him."

       The Prime Minister's wife said: "Absolutely devastating news about Sir David Amess.

       "He was hugely kind and good.

       "An enormous animal lover and a true gent. This is so completely unjust. Thoughts are with his wife and their children."

       Calls for a review of MPs' security have already begun, as politicians process the death of their colleague, writes Political Correspondent Tony Diver.

       "This is the third time, and every time we say that we will never let it happen again, and nothing changes," one MP told The Telegraph.

       "We are all exposed, and we all hold surgeries and everyone knows who we are and where we live. There is a serious problem.

       "I think there needs to be a serious independent review of MPs' security.

       "The wonderful thing about MPs is that they are accessible to the public, but there is going to have to be a serious review on MPs security and some proper action.

       "I don't know the answer, I don't know if we need police officers there or security guards.

       "The only way you can stop it is if someone is protecting them."

       Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "My thoughts and concerns are with David Amess' family at such a shocking time.

       "Nobody should be under threat doing their job."

       Sir David Amess has died.

       Essex Police said a man has died after reports that Conservative MP Sir David Amess had been stabbed multiple times at a constituency surgery.

       The stabbing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess is the latest attack on MPs in their constituencies, including the murder of Jo Cox.

       The country was rocked when the 41-year-old Labour MP for Batley and Spen was shot and stabbed in her constituency by a far-right supporter on June 16, 2016.

       In May 2010, East Ham MP Stephen Timms was stabbed twice in the abdomen by Roshonara Choudhry, an Islamic extremist who claimed she had wanted "to get revenge for the people of Iraq".

       Mr Timms suffered serious injuries and according to police was "extremely fortunate not to have been killed". He remains an MP.

       Nigel Jones, then MP for Cheltenham, was severely injured in January 2000 when he was attacked in his offices by a man with a sword.

       Andrew Pennington, a Gloucestershire county councillor, was killed in the same attack while trying to defend the then-MP.

       He was posthumously awarded the George Medal for bravery.

       The attacker, Robert Ashman, had been suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and was deemed unfit to stand trial and was ordered to be detained indefinitely in a secure hospital.

       Describing the sequence of events and the current scene, witness Anthony Finch said he believed the MP was still being treated inside the church where the incident had taken place.

       "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 told Sky News.

       "I went into the client's house... came back out and there were loads of armed police, overhead there was an air ambulance as well as a police helicopter. Obviously wondered what the hell was going on, you don't often see armed police around the local area.

       "I saw the suspect get put into a police van, get taken away and then they cordoned the whole road and pushed us all down the road.

       "What we then heard was that it was David Amess."

       He added: "The air ambulance has parked in a field nearby... I assume they're fighting to save his life and then they will take him away in the air ambulance."

       David Garston, shadow cabinet member for community safety, has sent his thoughts and prayers to Sir David and hopes he "pulls through".

       He told local paper The Echo: "I'm utterly lost for words, it's absolutely dreadful. "One of my friends who is a former councillor phoned me and told me, my initial reaction was just horror.

       "I have so much admiration for Sir David, he's one of the best constituency MPs in the whole country. "I've known him since 1983, and met him when I was the mayor of Southend.

       "In 2015 I moved from Southend East to Southend West, and so he's also been my MP for the last six years.

       "He's been out with us on street surgeries and door knocking, and he's very passionate the people he represents."

       Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted her support to Sir David Amess, writing: "Dreadful news.

       "Wishing David Amess a full and speedy recovery".

       Conservative MP and former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said social media gives people with "genuine problems over anger or issues" an "echo chamber and often makes it worse".

       He said this has been seen in threats made to MPs, female MPs and women in general, adding that the commentary is "often very violent, very angry".

       Sir Iain told the BBC News channel: "Right now we have no idea obviously who and why and what the rationale was behind this dreadful attack, and therefore the only thing I can bring to this is to say that we are all praying desperately for David's full recovery and for his family."

       Harriet Harman, Labour MP, said: "Absolutely horrified about attack on David Amess at constituency advice surgery. My thoughts with him and his family.

       "Everyone on all sides of the House will be wishing him well."

       A spokesman for Sir David's office in Westminster said: "The incident has happened. I don’t know what the incident is. We are still waiting."

       An employee of Jean’s Laundry, near Belfair’s Methodist Church, said she did not know anything about the situation but had seen emergency service vehicles go by.

       "We just saw all the police and the ambulances turning up, it was probably about half past 12 or just before then,” she told the PA news agency.

       "I saw about two or three ambulances and then an undercover police car and other police cars going past.

       "There’s usually people walking past, elderly people walking to the shops.

       "We’ve still got no idea what’s going on, we’re not very busy on a Friday and no one has come in to talk to us about it.”

       The air ambulance has just left the scene in Essex.

       It was not clear if anybody was in it.

       Conservative MP and former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said he is "very worried" to have heard Sir David Amess was stabbed "a number of times, not just once".

       He told the BBC News channel: "Obviously at the moment right now all I can think of are prayers for him and his family, him for a safe recovery, and them for the most terrible emotions they must be going through.

       "The reality for us is that we see constituents all the time, both in their houses and in surgeries.

       "We're out and about, we're always available, we must be available, it's the most critical bit of what makes the British parliamentary system I think one of the most accessible in the world, and that's because we want it that way.

       "We don't want to be cowed or frightened into doing something different, and I certainly won't, and I know my colleagues will feel the same.

       "So I hope this is resolved very, very quickly, as I say, but we will certainly want to continue the way that we do things.

       "Of course there may be some other elements that may be added to it, but notwithstanding that I want my constituents to have full access and I'm sure David would have felt the same."

       Peterborough MP Paul Bristow, who became a Tory MP after the 2019 General Election, said he was "horrified to hear of the attack".

       He tweeted: "He has always been so kind and helpful to me as a new MP and before that - as someone who worked in Westminster.

       "Genuinely one of the good guys - thoughts and prayers with him, his family and constituents."

       Damian Collins, the Conservative chair of the Joint Select Committee on the Online Safety Bill and Folkestone MP, said the news was "shocking".

       He described Sir David Amess as "such a good man and dedicated public servant", adding "our prayers are with you David".

       Tory colleague Simon Jupp, the MP for East Devon, said: "Horrific news about David Amess MP. My thoughts are with him and his family at this difficult time."

       Conservative MP for Buckingham Greg Smith tweeted: "Horrific news about Sir David Amess. Thoughts and prayers with him for a full recovery."

       Meanwhile, Labour grandee Hilary Benn told his followers: "We are all deeply distressed and shocked to hear about David Amess. Thinking of you David and your family."

       Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: "Shocked to hear the reports coming out of Southend West.

       "Sir David is a committed public servant as well as a close colleague and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this difficult time."

       A local shop worker said he saw the aftermath of the incident at Belfairs Methodist Church, where Sir David Amess was attacked.

       Lee Jordison walked around to the church from Hicks butchers where he works after seeing emergency services, including armed police and an air ambulance, rushing to the scene.

       "We could see a police cordon set up... (someone outside) told me a woman had come out screaming on the phone, saying 'someone's been stabbed, please get here soon'," the 40-year-old said.

       "There was a lot of talk at the church that it was (Sir David) and plenty of people had seen him outside saying hello to people outside the church 20 minutes before.

       "It's very shocking... I've worked up here and lived up here all my life and never seen anything like this - it's terrible news."

       London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: "Truly awful news. My thoughts and prayers are with David Amess MP, his family, staff and the community at this incredibly difficult time."

       Brendan Cox, widower of late Labour MP Jo Cox, who was murdered in an attack in 2016, described the stabbing of Sir David Amess as "as cowardly as it gets".

       He tweeted: "Attacking our elected representatives is an attack on democracy itself. There is no excuse, no justification. It is as cowardly as it gets."

       Shadow defence minister Chris Evans tweeted: "Absolutely horrified at the news in Southend. David Amess is one of that [sic] kindest men I have ever met. Praying for him now."

       DUP MP Carla Lockhart asked her followers to "please pray for Sir David Amess MP" describing him as an "absolute gentleman and someone who has been an immense help to me since getting elected to Westminster".

       She ended her tweet: "Just dreadful to think that someone would do this."

       Meanwhile, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said she was "horrified" at the news, adding "on behalf of all of us in the Labour Party I want to say all of our thoughts are with David and we all hope that he pulls through and is ok".

       Ms Rayner had faced criticism last month for calling Tories "scum" at a Labour party conference event.

       In October last year she apologised for using the slur in the Commons chamber against Conservative MP Chris Clarkson.

       East Ham MP Stephen Timms, who was stabbed at a constituency surgery in 2010, wrote on Twitter: "Appalled to hear of the attack on David Amess today.

       "I know him well and am thinking of him with very best wishes as we await further news."

       One witness called the incident "very distressing" and described seeing someone being taken out of the building and put into the back of a police car, before he was asked to leave the area.

       "At that point obviously we knew something serious had happened," he told LBC.

       "Within five minutes we'd been informed by someone who was actually in the building what had happened and apparently he (Sir David Amess) had been stabbed quite a few times. It's very distressing that's for sure."

       He added: "It's a nice area... it's not something that you'd see happening round this area that's for sure.

       "It's just a residential street with a Methodist church on the road and you don't often hear of things like this going on down this way.

       "To have it next door to where you're working is obviously very upsetting and very unlike what it's like round here. It's very odd and it's very distressing, that's for sure."

       Two hours after the stabbing, Sir David was still being treated at the scene, according to eyewitnesses, writes Associate Editor Gordon Rayner.

       John Lamb, a Conservative councillor who rushed to the church when he heard what had happened, said: "He was doing a surgery in the Methodist church here to speak to local people and pick up on their problems.

       "I'm told that when he went in for his surgery there were people waiting to see him, and one of them literally got a knife out and just began stabbing him.

       "He was with a female member of staff from his constituency office and another female member of staff from his Parliamentary office.

       "It's two hours since it happened and they are still working on him here - he hasn't been taken to hospital yet."

       Mr Lamb, chairman of the Southend West constituency association, said: "He is one of the reasons I became a councillor in 1997-98.

       "There was a problem we wanted sorting - it's so long ago I can't even remember what it was now - but he asked me to come and join him so I did.

       "He is very involved in the community and a lovely man."

       The DUP's Jim Shannon MP said: "I'm sickened by the brutal attack on Sir David Amess in his surgery today.

       "There's no denying the upsurge in aggression toward elected reps to the extent that we're having to take extra measures to protect ourselves & staff in our offices.

       "This violence can never be justified."

       The charity tweeted: "The Jo Cox Foundation is horrified to hear the news of the attack on Sir David Amess MP. We are thinking of him, his family and loved ones at this distressing time."

       Media opportunities to film the start of the Cabinet meeting were cancelled, as was a planned interview with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which was due to take place afterwards.

       It is unclear whether the Cabinet meeting is going ahead.

       Former Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "Deeply concerned about the terrible news. All of my thoughts are with David and his family."

       Meanwhile former Prime Minister David Cameron said: "Very alarming and worrying news reports coming from Leigh-on-Sea.

       "My thoughts and prayers are with Sir David Amess and his family."

       Conservative councillor and former Southend mayor, John Lamb, who is at the scene, said: "I was indoors when I got a phone call just before midday about this, I am so shocked.

       "At the moment, all we know is that David has been stabbed several times.

       "He is still at the church and they won’t let us go in to see him. It does look very serious."

       David Amess' friend and MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine said: "Utterly shocked by the news about my friend and colleague David Amess.

       "A man more dedicated to his constituents you could not ever hope to meet. To have been attacked like this during a surgery is horrific.

       "Praying for him and his family just now."

       Former Tory MP Steve Norris said: "Appalled by the attack on my dear friend David Amess.

       "Thoughts with him and his family. Unbelievable that anyone should do this to such a decent hard working MP."

       Stephen Doughty, Labour MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, reacted to the reports and said: "Utterly awful and deeply shocking news.

       "Praying for David, his family and all those treating him right now."

       Conservative MP and former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith tweeted: "My thoughts are with David Amess MP and his family at this awful time. "Praying for a full recovery following this appalling, shocking news.

       This angry, violent behaviour cannot be tolerated in politics or any other walk of life..."

       A local authority source told The Telegraph that Mr Amess was still inside the church receiving treatment.

       The source is outside the church, but has not been allowed beyond the police cordon.

       "I can tell you there's a big cordon, and there's armed police about. He's still in there. But I hear it's very serious."

       Colleagues of Sir David Amess are expressing their shock and horror at news that he was stabbed today while holding a constituency surgery.

       Iain Duncan Smith, former Conservative party leader, said: My thoughts are with David Amess MP and his family at this awful time. Praying for a full recovery following this appalling, shocking news. This angry, violent behaviour cannot be tolerated in politics or any other walk of life."

       David Jones, MP for Clwyd West, said: "Shocked at the news about my friend David Amess. Very much hope he’s OK."

       Labour's Luke Pollard added: "Horrific news coming from Southend about David Amess being stabbed multiple times. There really are no words. Sending all my best wishes to him, his team and family."

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