CONSERVATIVE MP Sir David Amess has died after being stabbed multiple times at a church in Essex.
A man is understood to have walked into Belfairs Methodist Church and knifed the 69-year-old multiple times.
Armed cops swooped on the in Leigh-on-Sea church after the minister, who represents Southend West in Essex, was attacked at the meeting just after midday.
Police confirmed a suspect has been arrested and said they are not looking for anyone else.
Read our David Amess live blog for the latest updates
Joseph Gamp 3 minutes ago
Mosques condemn attack as 'indefensible atrocity'
The fatal stabbing of MP Sir David Amess has been condemned as an "indefensible atrocity" in a joint statement from all of Southend's mosques, as police said the attack may be linked to Islamist extremism.
Faith leaders said that the father-of-five was an "upstanding friend to our Muslim community" and attended key events, including weddings, mosque openings and the launch of the town's first Muslim Scout group.
In a statement published on the Essex Jamme Masjid website, on behalf of "all Southend mosques", they said their thoughts and prayers were with Sir David's family, friends and colleagues.
"Sir David's murder was an indefensible atrocity, committed on the grounds of a place of worship and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms," the statement said.
"This act was committed in the name of blind hatred, and we look forward to the perpetrator being brought to justice."
Joseph Gamp 37 minutes ago
MPs remain defiant after David Amess murder
MPs struck a defiant tone as they held constituency surgeries as normal less than 24 hours after the death of Sir David Amess.
Sir David was killed while meeting constituents in Leigh-on-Sea on Friday, five and a half years after Labour MP Jo Cox was killed by a far-right extremist.
Some MPs on Saturday were calling for a review of safety procedures before resuming meetings with constituents.
But Alec Shelbrooke held a surgery at a local supermarket, and said he would continue to do so even if he had to "add a few more precautions".
The Conservative MP for Elmet and Rothwell tweeted: "We cannot let events like this diminish the deep relationship between an MP and their constituents.
"This is a relationship I value deeply: I want my constituents, regardless of whether they voted for me or not, to be able to approach me in the street, in the pub, at the supermarket or at one of my surgeries.
"I love that my constituents feel they can approach me in this way and the ability to do so is a foundation of British democracy."
Joseph Gamp 57 minutes ago
David's family 'can't believe this happened'
THE devastated cousins of tragic MP Sir David Amess have laid flowers outside the Essex church where he was yesterday murdered.
The politician was meeting constituents when he was brutally knifed by a man who had quietly waited for an appointment.
While his wife Julia and five children grieve privately today, a bouquet signed from family has been placed at the scene.
The moving note reads: "RIP David. Thinking of your lovely family.
"Can't believe this has actually happened.
"We will always love you."
Joseph Gamp Today, 14:28
'Dave would not have wanted that'
Craig Williams, MP for Montgomeryshire, also held a surgery on Saturday alongside his Conservative colleague from the Welsh Parliament, Russell George.
Mr Williams tweeted: "Busy surgery with @russ_george in #Guilsfield this morning. Thought of Sir David Amess throughout.
"A special shout out to @DyfedPowys for their presence and reassurance. #Montgomeryshire"
Kieran Mullan, the Tory MP for Crewe and Nantwich, tweeted: "Surgery today, we must not let people force us to do things differently.
"David would not have wanted that."
Joseph Gamp Today, 14:09
Met Police Counter Terrorism Command leading investigation
The investigation is being led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command who are working with the Eastern Region Specialist Operations Unit (ERSOU) and Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police said.
It said formal identification is yet to take place, but the victim has been identified as Sir David Amess and specialist officers are supporting his family.
Witnesses, or anyone with information about the incident are urged to contact police.
Joseph Gamp Today, 13:30
Priti Patel says MPs will not be 'cowed'
The Home Secretary has said politicians will not be "cowed" following the fatal stabbing of MP Sir David Amess, which police believe may be linked to Islamist extremism.
Priti Patel visited the scene at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea on Saturday morning alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to pay their respects to Sir David, less than 24 hours after he was killed at a constituency surgery.
Ms Patel said security measures were being put in place to protect MPs but vowed they will carry on serving the country unimpeded in the face of the attack, which the Metropolitan Police have declared was a terrorist incident.
Speaking at Southend Police Station, the Home Secretary said: "We will carry on, we live in an open society, a democracy. We cannot be cowed by any individual or any motivation... to stop us from functioning, to serve our elected democracy."
Asked whether there could be a balance between the safety of MPs and the democratic process, she said: "It can be balanced, it can absolutely be balanced."
Joseph Gamp Today, 12:40
Cops confirm Sir David knifed in terror attack
TORY MP Sir David Amess was knifed to death in a terror attack, cops have confirmed.
A 25-year-old man was held by armed cops after Sir David, 69, was stabbed multiple times yesterday at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
Anti-terror cops revealed the arrested British national of Somali origin is thought to have been inspired by Islamic extremism.
It is understood the suspect lived in Sir David’s Southend West constituency after his family came to the UK from the war-torn East African country in the 1990s.
Urgent background checks are being carried out on him to establish any potential links with jihadist groups.
Joseph Gamp Today, 12:12
Sir Amess tribute to be added to Dame Vera Lynn status
The daughter of Dame Vera Lynn has said she will include a tribute to Sir David Amess in a memorial to her mother that the Tory MP campaigned for.
Virginia Lewis-Jones, a family friend of Sir David, said she will add a tribute to the statue of her mother once it is created.
The Southend West MP supported and helped launch the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Appeal, a campaign working to have a statue erected in honour of the forces' sweetheart after her death.
The statue is expected to cost around ￡1.5 million which has not yet been raised, but renewed efforts are being made to publicise the campaign and to now honour Sir David.
The statue will be designed and created by sculpture Paul Day and will be situated on the White Cliffs of Dover, the subject of one of Dame Vera's most famous songs.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Ms Lewis-Jones said: "I think in some way, David should also be remembered in the memorial for what he has done to this point and hopefully in spirit will continue to do.
"We've got to continue, not only for my mother but also for David for what he began and for what we will continue to do because it's half his memorial as well."
Joseph Gamp Today, 11:56
'My daughter loved him'
A steady stream of people laid flowers near the police cordon outside Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, where MP Sir David Amess was stabbed to death.
Local resident Samantha Macdonald, 44, tearfully recalled meeting Sir David when he came to her school when she was 12.
She told the PA news agency: "He was always so involved with the community, so accessible as well - prided himself on being accessible.
"He knew every head teacher's name of every school in his constituency. My 13-year-old daughter absolutely loved him."
Joseph Gamp Today, 11:38
Priti Patel speaks at Southend police station
Home Secretary Priti Patel, speaking at Southend police station, said: "We're all struggling to come to terms with the fact that David Amess has been so cruelly taken away from all of us.
"Less than 24 hours ago David was in his own constituency doing a local advice surgery, which is something that all MPs do week in, week out.
"And of course David, as I knew him and as we all knew him, was just a passionate advocate and a champion for Southend, this wonderful, wonderful town.
"He was a man of the people, he 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 and we think of Julia and their children at this really sad time, they're in our thoughts and our prayers."
Joseph Gamp Today, 11:27
Terror probe
Sources told The Guardian the suspect arrested had the same details as someone previously referred to the government's anti-radicalisation programme Prevent.
John Lamb, councillor for neighbouring West Leigh, said Sir David was with two female members of staff - one from his constituency office and one from his parliamentary office - when a man "literally got a knife out and just began stabbing him".
Mr Lamb told The Sun that the two heroic staff — including PA Julie Cushion — were heartbroken.
He said: “They are devastated. I’ve no idea of the motive. He had no known enemies.
"I’m told the man was waiting calmly to be seen. It’s horrendous. So awful.”
Joseph Gamp Today, 11:13
David Amess news: The latest Tributes have flooded in for Sir David from the political world The MP had called for action on knife crime just seven months ago Jo Cox's husband Brendan says the killing "brings everything back" A suspect remains in custody where he is being quizzed on suspicion of murder Boris Johnson says ‘our hearts are filled with shock and sadness’ Priti Patel launches review into MPs’ safety after killing Tears at vigil as friends and constituents remember much-loved MP
Joseph Gamp Today, 10:55
Boris Johnson lays flowers at scene of attack
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has laid flowers at the scene of the fatal stabbing of MP Sir David Amess, which police believe could be linked to Islamist extremism.
Mr Johnson, accompanied by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Home Secretary Priti Patel, laid a wreath at the front of Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, where Sir David was killed on Friday.
It came after Scotland Yard said the country's most senior counter-terror officer, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, has formally declared the incident as terrorism and said early investigations have revealed "a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism".
Sir David, 69, who had been an MP since 1983, was fatally injured while meeting constituents.
A 25-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder is in custody at an Essex police station.
Official sources told the PA news agency the man is believed to be a British national with Somali heritage.
As part of the investigation, officers were also carrying out searches at two addresses in the London area, the Met said.
Joseph Gamp Today, 10:15
Southend West Councillor against Zoom constituency meetings
Councillor Kevin Buck, deputy chairman of the Southend West constituency association, said he is against moving MPs' surgery meetings to Zoom after the death of colleague Sir David Amess.
Mr Buck said he does not believe Sir David would have wanted meetings to go online, nor would he have wanted extra protection such as metal detectors and a police presence at face-to-face talks with constituents.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: "I don't think he would have approved, I personally don't approve really, I know we have to take our own personal safety very seriously, but I enjoy, as Sir David did, meeting the people.
"That's why we do this, so that we can lead the people and help the people and I don't want to do that from behind a TV screen or from behind the glass screen or a security box because then we've lost."
Joseph Gamp Today, 10:00
Met Police Counter Terrorism Command leading investigation
The investigation is being led by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command who are working with the Eastern Region Specialist Operations Unit (ERSOU) and Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police said.
It said formal identification is yet to take place, but the victim has been identified as Sir David Amess and specialist officers are supporting his family.
Witnesses, or anyone with information about the incident are urged to contact police.
Joseph Gamp Today, 09:45
Jacqui Smith warns of 'attack on democracy'
Jacqui Smith, former Labour MP and chairwoman of the Jo Cox Foundation, described the fatal stabbing of Sir David Amess as "an attack on our democracy".
Ms Smith said it is right to have a review of MPs' security and physical safety, but she added it needs to go "far further than that".
She told BBC Breakfast: "All of us have a responsibility to protect our democracy, which is so important for this country. We can't do that unless we protect and respect those people who are elected as part of it.
"Sometimes for MPs it's actually quite difficult for them to argue for special treatment, but they are special.
"They are the people who are elected in our democracy to represent us and we all therefore have a responsibility to treat them with respect and to ensure that they're safe as they go about that job."
Joseph Gamp Today, 09:30
Cops confirm Sir David knifed in terror attack
TORY MP Sir David Amess was knifed to death in a terror attack, cops have confirmed.
A 25-year-old man was held by armed cops after Sir David, 69, was stabbed multiple times yesterday at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
Anti-terror cops revealed the arrested British national of Somali origin is thought to have been inspired by Islamic extremism.
It is understood the suspect lived in Sir David’s Southend West constituency after his family came to the UK from the war-torn East African country in the 1990s.
Urgent background checks are being carried out on him to establish any potential links with jihadist groups.
Joseph Gamp Today, 09:17
PM and Home Sec visit Essex
Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel have arrived in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, to pay tribute to late Tory MP Sir David Amess.
The Prime Minister laid a wreath at the front of Belfairs Methodist Church, where Sir David was fatally stabbed on Friday.
Joseph Gamp Today, 09:15
Lindsay Hoyle went ahead with constituency surgery
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said he went ahead with his constituency surgery as normal on Friday evening, despite the killing of Sir David Amess.
Sir Lindsay said it was essential that MPs were able to retain their relationship with their constituents.
“We have got to make sure that democracy survives this,” he told BBC2’s Newsnight.
“I did my surgery tonight because people are not going to stop us. The one thing we have is a relationship with our constituents,
“It is that relationship we have built up, that trust with the electorate where they can meet their MP, share those issues, share those problems. What David was doing today, I have done tonight.”
Joseph Gamp Today, 09:00
Dame Vera Lynn's daughter pays tribute
Virginia Lewis-Jones, daughter of Dame Vera Lynn and family friend of Sir David Amess, has said she will add a tribute to the MP to the statue of her mother that the pair fundraised for.
Sir David supported and helped launch the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Appeal, working to have a statue erected in honour of the forces' sweetheart after her death, although the target of ￡1.5 million has not yet been hit.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Ms Lewis-Jones said: "I think in some way, David should also be remembered in the memorial for what he has done to this point and hopefully in spirit will continue to do.
"We've got to continue, not only for my mother but also for David for what he began and for what we will continue to do because it's half his memorial as well."
Joseph Gamp Today, 08:50
Fatal stabbing being treated as terrorist incident
The fatal stabbing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess has been declared a terrorist incident, Metropolitan Police have confirmed.
The 69-year-old, who had been an MP since 1983, was fatally injured while meeting constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea near Southend at midday on Friday.
In a statement, the Met said Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, had formally declared the incident as terrorism.
The investigation is being led by counter-terrorism officers.
The early investigation has revealed "a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism", the force said.
Joseph Gamp Today, 08:30
David Amess: what we know so far Sir David Amess, 69, dies after being stabbed several times at Tory constituency surgery as man, 25, arrested for murder Husband of murdered Jo Cox says Sir David Amess’ killing ‘brings everything back’ after wife’s tragic death Sir David Amess called for action on knife crime seven months before he was stabbed to death
Joseph Gamp Today, 08:23
Former minister calls for one-to-one meeting ban
A former Conservative minister has urged his fellow MPs to stop offering face-to-face meetings with constituents following the fatal stabbing of Sir David Amess.
Tobias Ellwood, who attempted to save the life of Pc Keith Palmer following a terror attack on Westminster in 2017, was quoted on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"I would recommend that no MP has a direct surgery until you can move to Zoom," Mr Ellwood said, in comments originally made on the station's The World Tonight programme.
"There are other ways.
"You can actually achieve an awful lot over the telephone, you can get things moving far faster than having to wait for the surgery date as well."
Joseph Gamp Today, 08:15
All four surviving PMs pay tribute
All four surviving former prime ministers also paid tribute to the long-serving MP.
Theresa May said his death was “heartbreaking” and “a tragic day for our democracy”, adding: “A decent man and respected Parliamentarian, killed in his own community while carrying out his public duties.”
David Cameron said it Sir David was “the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet”, and said: “David Amess was a kind & thoroughly decent man. Words cannot adequately express the horror of what has happened today.”
Tony Blair, who also became an MP for the first time in the 1983 election, said he was “horrified” by the attack, commenting: “Though on opposite political sides I always found him a courteous, decent and thoroughly likeable colleague who was respected across the House.”
Sir John Major said: “This is truly heartbreaking news of a good and decent man who – for over 30 years – was a dedicated public servant. My heart goes out to his family.”
Joseph Gamp Today, 08:00
Police appeal for information
Essex police, fire and crime commissioner Roger Hirst urged anyone with information about the killing of Sir David Amess to contact the police.
“This is a shocking and utterly despicable attack against somebody who was an outstanding MP and has worked tirelessly for their community for many, many years,” he said in a statement outside Southend police station.
“I know from personal experience the passion with which he stood up for and represented this community. He had a big heart.
“It is vital that we give the police all our support to ensure that they can do their job at this time. For anybody who has information, please do not hesitate to contact the police.”
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