A MAN has today been charged with murder and terror offences after Sir David Amess was knifed to death as the MP met constituents at an Essex church last week.
Ali Harbi Ali, 25, will today face court charged with murdering the MP in a church surgery six days ago, the Crown Prosecution Service announced.
9
Ali Harbi Ali, 25, has been charged after being detained under terroristm legislation 9
A man has been charged with murder after Sir David Amess was stabbed to death in Essex Credit: PA
Sir David tragically died at his constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex - believed to have been stabbed up to 17 times.
The suspect was detained under terrorism legislation.
The CPS today announced the charges, saying that the attack had both "religious and ideological motivations".
Nick Price, Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “The CPS has authorised charges against Ali Harbi Ali for the murder of MP Sir David Amess on Friday 15 October 2021.
"We will submit to the court that this murder has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations.
“He has also been charged with the preparation of terrorist acts. This follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation."
Most read in The Sun
SPICE WORLD Inside Horner's country home the Red Bull boss shares with Spice Girl Geri
BAD TERMS? Strictly feud mystery as Ranvir Singh unfollowed Giovanni & fails to support him
'STAY VIGILENT' Brits face new rules if Covid spirals as Javid warns of 100k cases a DAY
tragic tot Mum & lover ‘killed girl, 1, by stamping on her then tried to blame 2-year-old'
RACE ROW Ashley Banjo in shock as Jim Davidson storms out of 'f***ing crazy' BLM interview
VACC ON TRACK Sajid Javid to give major Covid update at Downing St press conference TONIGHT
Ali remains in custody and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court later this afternoon.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes added: "I want to send my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Sir David Amess, who died so tragically last Friday.
"Sir David’s dedication to his family, his constituents and his community, and his positive impact on the lives of so many has shone through.
"Today's charge is a significant milestone in the case, but the work from my colleagues in the Met's Counter Terrorism Command will continue apace.
"There has been considerable speculation in the media about the background, history and motivation of the man now charged.
"I understand the huge level of public interest in this case, but now a charge has been brought, it is vitally important that everyone exercises restraint when commenting on it publicly, to ensure future court proceedings are not prejudiced in any way."
'CALMLY WAITED FOR COPS'
It's been claimed Ali had booked an appointment with him before the horror unfolded at midday, and calmly waited for cops to arrive.
Paramedics frantically battled to save the injured politician - but despite their efforts, he died at the scene.
British born Ali, with Somalian heritage, is understood to have been flagged by the anti-radicalisation scheme and had extremist material on his phone.
He had been flagged to the Government Prevent anti-terror scheme but was not being probed by MI5.
Police were seen searching his Kentish Town home in North London after his arrest, with CCTV capturing him just hours before the murder.
His dad, Harbi Ali Kullane, has declined to comment on the situation and previously worked as director of communications at the office of the prime minister in Somalia.
Despite Ali’s radicalisation, relatives claimed he had trained to become an NHS doctor after spending four years at a top medical school.
But he did train as a technician in the radiography department of King’s College Hospital in London, a government source claimed.
However Ali wasn’t working there at the time of the attack on Sir David.
Our hearts are shattered.
Sir David's family
Sir David's wife Julia and five children paid tribute to the "courageous" husband in a touching statement.
They told how they are "enormously proud" of their husband and father, saying: "Our hearts are shattered."
The statement read: “Strong and courageous is an appropriate way to describe David. He was a patriot and a man of peace."
“So, we ask people to set aside their differences and show kindness and love to all.
"This is the only way forward. Set aside hatred and work towards togetherness.
“Whatever one’s race, religious or political beliefs, be tolerant and try to understand.
“As a family, we are trying to understand why this awful thing has occurred. Nobody should die in that way. Nobody.
“Please let some good come from this tragedy. We are absolutely broken, but we will survive and carry on for the sake of a wonderful and inspiring man.”
TEARS FOR 'MR SOUTHEND'
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.
Mrs 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.
The PM made his sombre visit hours after describing Sir David as a "much-loved friend and colleague".
"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," Mr Johnson 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."
Mourners sobbed at a vigil for Sir David over the weekend, with Father Jeffrey Woolnaugh described the politician as "Mr Southend".
Robert Halfon, Tory MP for Harlow and a friend of Sir David's, called him the “embodiment of Essex man.”
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.
We have lost a fine public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague
Boris Johnson
"Today it took a father, a husband, and a respected colleague. All my thoughts and prayers are with Sir David's loved ones."
"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."
The fatal stabbing comes five years after MP Jo Cox, 41, was gunned down and stabbed to death in broad daylight.
The Labour politician and mother was murdered by Thomas Mair, 53, who was sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole life order.
Her death was the first killing of a sitting British MP after the 1990 death of Conservative MP Ian Gow.
Sir David had written a book last year following Jo's death, saying her murder "spoilt the great British tradition of the people openly meeting" their MPs.
Jo's husband Brendan Cox said: "Attacking our elected representatives is an attack on democracy itself.
"There is no excuse, no justification. It is as cowardly as it gets."
Sir David had served as MP for Southend West since 1997 and first entered parliament in 1983.
Anyone with information or CCTV footage has been asked to call police on 101 quoting incident 445 of 15 October.
9
Sir David was married to Julia. The couple had five children together Credit: Rex 9
CCTV caught the alleged kille rhours before the murder Credit: pixel8000 9
Boris Johnson has paid moving tribute to the MP 9
Police were outside of Ali's home in North London Credit: LNP 9
He visited the scene with Priti Patel and Sir Keir Starmer to lay flowers Credit: Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing Street
History of violent attacks on MPs
Sir David is the latest MP to be killed while serving in office.
Jo Cox
Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered in June 2016 by right wing fanatic Thomas Mair as she was on her way to a constituency surgery in Batley and Spen.
Her murder, which came just days before the EU referendum, sparked a national outcry and prompted politicians to massively ramp up their security.
Mair was jailed for life for the attack.
Stephen Timms
In 2010 Labour MP Stephen Timms was stabbed by a woman who claimed she was seeking revenge for his support of the Iraq War at his constituency surgery in east London.
His attacker, Roshonara Choudhry, 21 a radicalised student, stabbed Mr Timms twice in the stomach before his assistant managed to drag her off.
The surgeon who operated on him described the injuries he suffered as “potentially life-threatening”.
Nigel Jones
Lib Dem MP Nigel Jones was stabbed and his assistant, Andy Pennington, murdered, when a man brandishing a sword burst into his constituency and attacked him in 2000.
Attacker Robert Ashman spent 8 years in a secure hospital for the attack.
Ian Gow
In 1990, the Eastbourne MP was was killed by an IRA car bomb at his Sussex home at the age of 53.
Sir Anthony Berry
The MP for Enfield Southgate died in the IRA bombing of Brighton's Grand Hotel, where Margaret Thatcher was staying for the 1984 Conservative Party conference.
Robert Bradford
In 1981, the Ulster Unionist Party was shot dead by the IRA while holding a constituency surgery in a Belfast community centre in 1981.
Airey Neave
The terror group also claimed the life of former Northern Ireland secretary Neave.
His car was blown up as he drove out of the parliamentary car park at Westminster in 1979.
Spencer Perceval
Perceval is the only prime minister to have been murdered in office.
He was shot dead in the lobby of the House of Commons in 1812.
9
His family paid tribute to the 'courageous' MP 9
Tributes have flooded in for the minister Credit: PA
Witness reveals moment cops 'swamped' church after MP David Amess stabbed