Machibet777 APPSir David Amess murder suspect named as Ali Harbi Ali, 25, as anti-terror police granted six more days to quiz him | The Sun - Machibet Affiliate

THE man arrested for the murder of Tory MP Sir David Amess was named last night as Ali Harbi Ali - as anti-terror cops were given another six days to quiz him.

The 25-year-old, a British national with Somali heritage, had been flagged to the Government Prevent anti-terror scheme but it is understood he was not being probed by MI5.

Sir David Amess, 69, was knifed to death in a terror attack yesterdayCredit: PA

Police searched the home linked to Ali Harbi Ali in North London this morningCredit: LNP

A sea of tributes have been left for Sir David in Leigh-on-SeaCredit: PA

The suspect was arrested on Friday at a Methodist church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where the MP for Southend West had been meeting constituents.

Sources confirmed his name to the Sun last night.

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The killer of Sir David travelled 50 miles by train to murder him - and apparently had told the MP's staff that he had recently moved to the area.

And dad Harbi Ali Kullane, a former adviser to the prime minister of Somalia, confirmed his British-born son was in custody.

He told : “I’m feeling very traumatised. It’s not something that I expected or even dreamt of.”

Mr Kullane added he had been visited by anti-terror police.

It comes after cops discovered Islamist material on the suspect's phone and searched three London homes to probe any links he may have to Islamic extremism.

The tragedy comes as...

Sir David Amess' alleged killer was on a terror alert list and had extremist material on his phone
The suspect allegedly knifed the MP 17 times - and sat calmly while he waited for police to arrive
The suspect’s home on celeb street with £2m houses was one of three London properties searched by anti-terror cops
Boris Johnson led tributes to Sir David - and said "our hearts are filled with shock and sadness"
The PM visited the scene of the horror with Sir Keir Starmer to lay a wreath of white flowers
Home Secretary Priti Patel launched a review into MPs’ safety
Sir David was asked to stop meeting constituents alone after Jo Cox was murdered - and wrote that similar attacks "could happen to any of us"
Mrs Cox's sister said her terrified husband has asked her to step down from politics after the horror
There were tears at a vigil as friends and constituents remembered the much-loved MP

Meanwhile, security sources Ali planned his murderous attack more than a week in advance.

Detectives have now been granted another six days to quiz him after the probe was take over by Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism unit.

A warrant will allow them to hold Ali until Friday.

Scotland Yard said: "Late on Friday, whilst in police custody, the man was subsequently further detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and he is now being held at a London police station.

"On Saturday, detectives were granted a warrant of further detention at Westminster Magistrates' Court, allowing them to keep the man in custody until October 22, when the warrant expires."

'SELF-RADICALISED'

Cops and security services are now examining the theory Sir David's killer was "self-radicalised" online during lockdown.

And they believe the suspect may have been inspired by al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda offshoot operating in Somalia and Kenya.

Ali is understood to have lived in London after his family came to the UK from war-torn East Africa country in the 1990s.

It was reported last night he has family ties to Sir David’s Southend West constituency.

Urgent background checks are being carried out to establish any potential links with jihadist groups.

The suspect’s health records are also being examined to check on his psychiatric history.

It is understood Ali had been referred to the government's Prevent deradicalisation scheme but was not on MI5's list of active threats.

The Prevent scheme asks the public and key workers to spot early signs of radicalisation.

Those who are referred can take part in a voluntary program designed to steer them away from extremism.

Last year there were 6,287 referrals to Prevent - an an increase of 10 per cent compared on 2019.

Around a quarter of those referrals were over concerns related to Islamist extremism.

Prevent has long been opposed by many Muslim groups in the UK including the Muslim Council of Britain.

In January 2019 ministers announced the creation of the Independent Review of Prevent as part of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act.

SILENT ATTACK

Sir David, who represented Southend West in Essex, was attacked just after midday at Belfairs Methodist Church.

His killer waited calmly at a constituency surgery in the church before launching his knife attack — then sat down and waited for cops.

Two female staff watched in horror as the maniac walked up to the 69-year-old Tory and pulled out a blade.

He is said to have stabbed the married dad-of-five up to 17 times — without saying a word — at 12.05pm.

Paramedics frantically battled to save the stricken MP while horrified constituents watched as the suspect was led away from the bloodbath.

However, in spite of their efforts, he died at the scene.

A post-mortem examination took place on Saturday.

Locals have been visiting the church since yesterday afternoon to pay their respects.

Last night, mourners placed flowers and lit candles outside the church in memory of the beloved MP.

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.

Ms 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.

'TERROR PROBE'

Home Secretary Priti Patel has asked all police forces to review security arrangements for MPs “with immediate effect”.

It's been confirmed that all politicians will be contacted regarding their security arrangements.

MP Tobias Ellwood has called for all meetings between politicians and constituents to take place over Zoom in the wake of the horror.

The ex Green Jacket, who gave murdered police officer Keith Palmer CPR during the Westminster terror attack, said: "MP engagement with the public is a vital part of our work.

"But [it's] understandable [there's] huge anxiety amongst MPs now.

"Until the Home Secretary's review of MP security is complete, I would recommend a temporary pause in face-to-face meetings."

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However, former Cabinet minister David Davis said such a move would be a "terrible reflection of what David stood for".

He told Sky News: "I don't think we should do that. I'm sorry, I disagree with Tobias on that.

"I don't think David would (agree) either.

"Sure, we should be cautious, maybe we should do things to ensure the people who come to see us are bona fide, but I think actually pausing it would be a bad idea.