Sir David Amess was stabbed to death on Friday at the age of 69.
The
Conservative MP was meeting with local residents for a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea when the attacker approached him with a knife and stabbed him multiple times.
Amess was a long-serving backbencher, having first been elected to the House of Commons in 1983 to represent Basildon before later becoming an MP for Essex’s Southend West in 1997.
A highly respected figure in the Conservative Party, he never held a ministerial or shadow ministerial role and was known for focusing on animal rights.
Tributes for the late MP have been streaming in as those across the political spectrum, praising Amess and his memory.
Health secretary Said Javid described Amess as “a great man, a great friend, and a great MP killed while fulfilling his democratic role”.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove said the murder was “heartbreakingly sad” and “just terrible, terrible news”.
Carrie Johnson, the prime minister’s wife, former prime minister David Cameron, and current political leaders including Labour’s leader Sir Keir Starmer and Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon have expressed their condolences online as well.
SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford tweeted: “Sir David was a thoroughly decent man, who was well liked across parties and the House of Commons.”
Brendan Cox, the husband of Labour MP Jo Cox who was stabbed to death in 2016, also shared extended his sympathies on Twitter.
David Amess’s passing is heart-breakingly sad. Just terrible, terrible news. 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
— Michael Gove (@michaelgove)
October 15, 2021
Devastated to learn of Sir David Amess' murder. A great man, a great friend, and a great MP killed while fulfilling his democratic role.
My heart goes out to Julia, his family, and all who loved him.
Let us remember him and what he did with his life.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid)
October 15, 2021
My thoughts and love are with David’s family. They are all that matter now. This brings everything back. The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us following the loss of Jo. I hope we can do the same for David now.
pic.twitter.com/hwRN0PODPK — Brendan Cox (@MrBrendanCox)
October 15, 2021
Sir David was a thoroughly decent man, who was well-liked across parties and the House of Commons.
All of us are appalled at this barbaric attack, which was as senseless as it was cowardly. He was murdered while simply doing his job.
— Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP)
October 15, 2021
This is tragic and horrible news. My thoughts are with David’s wife and children, the wider family, friends and David’s community. A truly terrible day for British politics but most importantly of all our prayers are with all the people who loved David.
https://t.co/qPYsE085zy — Ed Davey MP ??? (@EdwardJDavey)
October 15, 2021
Devastated to hear the terrible news about Sir David Amess MP. He was a lovely, lovely man and a superb parliamentarian. My thoughts are with all his family and friends.
— Liz Truss (@trussliz)
October 15, 2021
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.
Today it took a father, a husband, and a respected colleague.
All my thoughts and prayers are with Sir David’s loved ones.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak)
October 15, 2021
This is the most devastating, horrific & tragic news. David Amess was a kind & thoroughly decent man - & he was the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet. Words cannot adequately express the horror of what has happened today. Right now, my heart goes out to David’s family
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron)
October 15, 2021
Shocked, appalled and devastated to hear Sir David Amess MP has passed away. He served with pride as MP for almost four decades, representing his constituents and our country with loyalty and dedication. My thoughts are with his family at this tragic time. May he rest in peace.
— Andrew RT Davies (@AndrewRTDavies)
October 15, 2021
Horrified and saddened to hear the news about David Amess MP.
The entire
@ScottishLabour family sends love and condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar)
October 15, 2021
Absolutely devastating news about Sir David Amess. He was hugely kind and good. An enormous animal lover and a true gent. This is so completely unjust. Thoughts are with his wife and their children.
— Carrie Johnson (@carrielbjohnson)
October 15, 2021
For those who didn’t know Sir David Amess, this will give you a measure of the man. I’d played a small part in helping him get 200 children with learning disabilities to play the
@RoyalAlbertHall. This is the video I filmed on the night of his thank you speech.
pic.twitter.com/aF7SCiPd3k — Penny Mordaunt (@PennyMordaunt)
October 15, 2021
The Jo Cox Foundation is horrified to hear the news of the attack on Sir David Amess MP. We are thinking of him, his family and loved ones at this distressing time.
— The Jo Cox Foundation (@JoCoxFoundation)
October 15, 2021
Horrific and deeply shocking news. Thinking of David, his family and his staff.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer)
October 15, 2021
I’m horrified by the reports regarding David Amess and an incident at his constituency surgery today.
We don’t know the details yet but on behalf of all of us in the Labour Party I want to say all of our thoughts are with David and we all hope that he pulls through and is ok.
— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner)
October 15, 2021
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