WE’LL NEVER FORGET
Sir David Amess – Boris Johnson says ‘our hearts are filled with shock and sadness’ after MP stabbed to death
BORIS Johnson tonight paid tribute to Conservative MP Sir David Amess who has died after being stabbed multiple times.
In a statement from No 10 the visibly shocked PM said the nation has lost "a fine public servant and a much loved friend".
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Boris, who spent the day in Bristol with his Cabinet, said: "I think all our hearts are full of shock and sadness today.
"Sir David Amess 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 UK.
"The reason I think people are so shocked and saddened is above all he was one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics and he also had an outstanding record of passing laws to help the most vulnerable.
"David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future and we've lost today a fine public servant and a much loved friend and colleague.
"Our thoughts are very much today with his wife his children and his family."
His wife Carrie described the much-respected MP as "an enormous animal lover and a true gent".
She said: "He was hugely kind and good. This is so completely unjust."
Flags are tonight flying at half mast above Downing St and the Houses of Parliament.
Sir David, 69, was attacked a constituency surgery in a church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex this afternoon.
A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of his murder.
Armed cops swooped after the MP, who represented Southend West, was attacked at the meeting just after midday.
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This afternoon politicians from across the divide expressed their shock at the attack and paid tribute to the "well loved" MP.
Cabinet ministers said they'd been left "devastated" by the news.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he was "a great man, a great friend, and a great MP killed while fulfilling his democratic role".
He added: "My heart goes out to Julia, his family, and all who loved him. Let us remember him and what he did with his life."
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the long-serving backbencher was " a true Parliamentarian".
He added: "A dedicated, thoughtful man who lost his life while serving the constituents who he worked relentlessly for throughout his career."
Foreign secretary Liz Truss said Sir David "was a lovely, lovely man".
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Top figures from the Labour party also expressed their sadness at the death of a colleague who was popular across Parliament.
Leader Sir Keir Starmer said Sir David was a "dedicated public servant" and "highly respected across parliament".
He said: "This is a dark and shocking day. The whole country will feel it acutely. Let us come together in response to these horrendous events.
"We will show once more that violence, intimidation and threats to our democracy will never prevail over the tireless commitment of public servants simply doing their jobs."
Cardiff South MP Stephen Doughty added: "Sir David was always an absolute gentleman to me and well loved on all sides.
"A true champion for his constituency. This is a dark day for our public life, so tragically again."
London mayor Sadiq Khan said his death was "truly awful news".
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said it was "a truly terrible day for British politics".
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described the attack as "awful beyond words".
She said: "Elected representatives from across the political spectrum will be united in sadness and shock today.
"In a democracy, politicians must be accessible and open to scrutiny, but no-one deserves to have their life taken while working for and representing their constituents."
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was "deeply saddened" by Sir David's death and branded it "a truly despicable and horrifying act".
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".
She added: "A decent man and respected Parliamentarian, killed in his own community while carrying out his public duties."
MP security review
David Cameron said it Sir David was "the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet".
He added: "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.
"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."
Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said MPs' security will need to be reviewed in the aftermath of the attack.
He added: "This is an incident that will send shockwaves across the parliamentary community and the whole country."
Priti Patel said questions are “rightly being asked” about the safety of MPs following the attack.
The home secretary promised to “provide updates in due course” on what more can be done to protect parliamentarians.
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Sir David, a popular figure with colleagues, has been an MP since 1983.
The father-of-five is known for his campaigning on animal welfare and fuel poverty.
A man is understood to have walked into Belfairs Methodist Church and knifed Sir David multiple times.
In a statement Essex Police said: "A man has been arrested on suspicion murder after a man was stabbed in Leigh-on-Sea.
"We were called to an address in Eastwood Road North shortly after 12.05pm today.
"We attended and found a man injured. He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene.
"A 25 year-old man was quickly arrested after officers arrived at the scene on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered.
"He is currently in custody. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident."
Horrified witnesses told how gun cops "completely and utterly swamped" the scene.
One said: ""I saw someone get taken out the building, put into the back of a police car.
“Apparently he was stabbed quite a few times.
"It’s very hard, it’s very distressing that’s for sure."
Another said they saw undercover police cars race past their laundrette near the church as the bloodbath unfolded.
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It 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.
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Responding to today's attack her widow Brendan said: "Attacking our elected representatives is an attack on democracy itself.
"There is no excuse, no justification. It is as cowardly as it gets."
Witness reveals moment cops 'swamped' church after MP David Amess stabbed
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