The Southend West MP was a proud supporter of promoting democracy in Iran while in Parliament. He co-chaired the British Iran Freedom Committee and regularly spoke up about human rights abuses in the Middle Eastern country.

       Sir David supported the People’s Mojahedin Organisation (MEK) which has campaigned for democracy in Iran for nearly four decades.

       The MP was fatally stabbed while meeting with constituents last week, the Islamic Republic's state media said: "David Amess, a British MP, was stabbed to death on Friday. Besides his right-leaning positions and supporting the Brexit, he had underlined he was honoured to support the MEK terrorist grouplet."

       It added that he had "never apologised" for supporting MEK and continued to do so until his death.

       Their description of Sir David as a terrorist supporter comes as Ali Harbi Ali, 25, appeared in court charged with the terrorism-related murder of the MP.

       READ MORE: Nadine Dorries reveals poignant final letter from Sir David Amess

       Ali Harbi Ali, from London, has been charged with murder and preparing acts of terrorism, the Crown Prosecution Service said on Thursday.

       He was remanded in custody following the 13-minute hearing.

       Earlier, Nick Price, of the CPS, said: "We will submit to the court that this murder has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations."

       The National Council of Resistance of Iran, a political organisation seeking to dismantle the current regime in Tehran, described Iran state media's remarks as "totally abhorrent".

       Spokesman Shahin Gobadi told Express.co.uk: "The conduct of the ruling theocracy in Iran regarding the tragic murder of Sir David Amess is totally abhorrent.

       "It simply once again shows and manifests the anti-human and dreadful nature of Tehran rulers who have the highest number of executions per capita in the world."

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       On Monday, Iranian democracy supporters gathered in Parliament Square in Westminster to pay their respects to Sir David.

       They lined the road as MPs gathered at St Margaret’s Church for a memorial service in Sir David's memory.

       The afternoon was spent by MPs paying tribute to their colleague, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing Southend would be granted city status, in recognition of his decades-long campaign for the seaside town to be given the honour.

       The Prime Minister told the Chamber: "I am happy to announce that Her Majesty has agreed that Southend will be accorded the city status it so clearly deserves.

       "That Sir David spent almost 40 years in this House but not one day in ministerial office tells everything about where his priorities lay.

       "He was not a man in awe of this chamber, nor a man who sought patronage or advancement.

       "He simply wanted to serve the people of Essex, first in Basildon, then in Southend.

       "And it was in the act of serving his constituents that he was so cruelly killed."