British lawmaker dies after stabbing

By Aditi Sangal, Meg Wagner, Melissa Macaya and Melissa Mahtani, CNN

Updated 6:30 p.m. ET, October 15, 2021
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6:29 p.m. ET, October 15, 2021

Here's the latest on the investigation into David Amess' death

From CNN's Rob Picheta and Jo Shelley

David Amess, seen here in May, was 69 years old.
David Amess, seen here in May, was 69 years old. (Amer Ghazzal/Shutterstock)

British lawmaker David Amess, a member of Boris Johnson's ruling Conservative Party, died after being stabbed several times at a constituency meeting east of London.

Amess, 69, a member of Parliament who represented Southend West in Essex, was attacked at around midday Friday by a man who walked into a meeting with voters from his electoral district being held in a Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.

"He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene," Essex police said.

Here's what else we know about the investigation:

The suspect: A 25-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering Amess on Friday is believed to be a British national with Somali heritage, official sources have told the PA news agency. "A 25-year-old man was quickly arrested after officers arrived at the scene on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered," Essex police said.

The investigation: The UK's Counter Terrorism Command will lead the investigation into the murder, police said later Friday. "It will be for investigators to determine whether or not this is a terrorist incident. But as always, they will keep an open mind," Ben-Julian Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, told reporters.

"Tragic day for our democracy": Former Prime Minister David Cameron said Amess was "a kind and thoroughly decent man" and "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," Cameron said. Cameron's successor Theresa May added the news was "heartbreaking" and "a tragic day for our democracy."

Britain's second murdered lawmaker in five years: The killing was another grim moment in Britain's political history. It marks the second murder of a sitting British lawmaker in five years, after Labour MP Jo Cox was killed in her constituency in 2016, and has reignited discussions about the safety of the UK's elected officials.

Boris Johnson was joined by all of his living predecessors in expressing shock, and lawmakers from every corner of the political spectrum spoke of their sadness, their concern, and their anger after another of their colleagues was killed while meeting with his constituents. "David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future," Johnson said in a statement from Downing Street. "We lost today a fine public servant."

About Amess: He entered Parliament in 1983, initially representing the Basildon constituency. He served continuously in the House of Commons since then, making him one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the chamber. Amess was knighted in 2015 for his political service. He supported Britain's departure from the European Union, and his main areas of expertise were animal welfare and pro-life issues, according to a biography on his website.

In March, Amess asked a question in Parliament about how to stop "senseless murders" with knives, after a teenager in his constituency was killed in a knife attack.

5:21 p.m. ET, October 15, 2021

What we know about the suspect arrested in David Amess' death

From CNN's Sharon Braithwaite

A 25-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering British lawmaker Sir David Amess on Friday is believed to be a British national with Somali heritage, official sources have told the PA news agency.

Amess, a member of Boris Johnson's ruling Conservative Party, died after being stabbed several times at a constituency meeting east of London.

Amess, 69, a member of Parliament who represented Southend West in Essex, was attacked at around midday Friday. The suspect had walked into a meeting with voters from his electoral district being held in a Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.

2:43 p.m. ET, October 15, 2021

UK official asks police forces to review MP security arrangements after Amess killing

From CNN's Sharon Braithwaite

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has asked all police forces to "review security arrangements for MPs with immediate effect and will provide updates in due course," her spokesperson told CNN Friday in a statement.

“This afternoon, the Home Secretary chaired a meeting of the Police, Security and Intelligence Agencies to discuss the tragic incident in Southend and the ongoing response. She also spoken to the Speaker of the House of Commons," the spokesperson said.

Earlier on Friday, Patel said she was "devastated" to have lost "not only a fellow Essex MP, but a kind and loyal friend," referring to British MP David Amess. 

In a series of tweets Patel said that "questions are rightly being asked about the safety of our country's elected representatives" and she "will provide updates in due course."

 

1:37 p.m. ET, October 15, 2021

Counterterrorism officers will lead Amess investigation, Essex Police chief says

The investigation into the fatal stabbing of MP David Amess will be led by counterterrorism officers, Essex Police chief constable Ben-Julian Harrington said in a statement at the Southend Police station.

"It will be for investigators to determine whether or not this is a terrorist incident," he added.

Amess died earlier today after being stabbed several times at a constituency meeting east of London.

1:34 p.m. ET, October 15, 2021

UN "extremely saddened" by David Amess death

From CNN’s Richard Roth

United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at Friday’s daily briefing that the UN is “extremely saddened” by the death of UK lawmaker David Amess and that lawmakers need to be allowed to be free to work and not fear attacks. 

“We obviously are extremely saddened by this murder, and I think…and express, of course, our condolences to his family, and as well as to the people and government of the UK. What is clear for us is that lawmakers need to be able to do their work, they need to go about doing their work – free from fear of attacks or murder or anything else – and that is a centerpiece of democracy,” Dujarric said.

1:33 p.m. ET, October 15, 2021

Amess was "loved" and "worked hard" for his community, local official says

From CNN's Niamh Kennedy

A photo of David Amess is seen before a service Friday at Saint Peter's Catholic Parish of Eastwood.
A photo of David Amess is seen before a service Friday at Saint Peter's Catholic Parish of Eastwood. (Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images)

MP David Amess was "loved and worked hard for his community,” local councillor John Lamb said Friday, speaking to CNN affiliate ITN.

Lamb, who also serves as vice chair of the Southend West Conservative Association, said it was "absolutely horrendous" that Amess was murdered while doing his "normal work" that he loved so well.

Amess was very much a "community MP" who "loved to come out and meet his residents," according to Lamb.

"He would pick up their problems ... and make sure he could get them sorted,” Lamb said.

Lamb painted the picture of a man "who was one to support the community," saying that he regularly attended local events for veterans and children among others. 

He said he had a "very good working relationship" with Amess, clubbing together on efforts to get local town Southend-On-Sea recognized as a city. 

"It didn't matter what your party was. If you went to him with a problem, he would help you. It didn't matter what culture you were; he would help you," Lamb added. 

 

1:54 p.m. ET, October 15, 2021

Local residents are placing flowers outside the church where Amess was killed

A woman lays flowers for David Amess on Friday.
A woman lays flowers for David Amess on Friday. (Yui Mok/PA/AP)

Members of the community have gathered in front of the church where British lawmaker David Amess was killed to leave flowers and balloons in his honor, CNN producer Nada Bashir reports.

"This is a very small, close knit community and the idea of having a local lawmaker attacked in such a way, in a public forum like this is really devastating and has shaken local residents here," she said reporting from outside the church in Leigh-on-Sea.

Amess, 69, a member of Parliament who represented Southend West in Essex, was stabbed midday Thursday by a man who walked into a meeting with voters from his electoral district being held inside the Methodist Church.

Tributes are left for Amess on Friday. The balloon reads "RIP We will miss you."
Tributes are left for Amess on Friday. The balloon reads "RIP We will miss you." (Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP)

A woman leaves flowers at a police cordon near the scene.
A woman leaves flowers at a police cordon near the scene. (Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images)

12:33 p.m. ET, October 15, 2021

Boris Johnson: Amess "was one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics"

From CNN's Adrienne Vogt

British lawmaker David Amess, a member of Boris Johnson's ruling Conservative Party, is seen at the House of Commons in October 2016.
British lawmaker David Amess, a member of Boris Johnson's ruling Conservative Party, is seen at the House of Commons in October 2016. (Zoe Norfolk/Getty Images)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called MP David Amess "one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics" following Amess' death after being stabbed during a constituency meeting.

“All our hearts are full of shock and sadness,” Johnson said. 

"He also had an outstanding record of passing laws to help the most vulnerable, whether the people are suffering from endometriosis, passing laws to end cruelty to animals," Johnson told reporters. 

"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," he added.

Johnson was also asked about the safety of members of Parliament following the deaths of Amess and MP Jo Cox in 2016.

"What we need to do now is let the police get on with their investigation, and I'm sure that all those issues will be considered in the proper time, but I think this is a moment for us to think of Sir David, his wife, his family, and our thoughts very much with them," Johnson said.

12:38 p.m. ET, October 15, 2021

Here's Essex police's full statement on the killing of David Amess

Police officers work near the scene of the crime on Friday.
Police officers work near the scene of the crime on Friday. (Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images)

Essex Police just confirmed officers arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with the stabbing death of David Amess.

Here's the full statement from police:

“We are now in a position to confirm the man who died in Leigh-on-Sea today was Sir David Amess MP.
We were called to an address in Eastwood Road North shortly after 12.05pm today (Friday 15 October) to reports Mr Amess, 69, had been stabbed.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, sadly, he died at the scene.
A 25 year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody.
We have recovered a knife from the scene and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
We are continuing to appeal for anyone who saw anything or has CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage to come forward.
We want to say thank you to the members of the public who alerted so quickly.
We need anyone who saw anything or has CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage to contact us.
If you have any information you can submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk