The Tory MP died after being stabbed multiple times on Friday
Police are treating the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess as a terrorist incident and have said there is a potential link to Islamist extremism.
The investigation into the murder of Sir David on Friday is being led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command who are working with colleagues from the Eastern Region Specialist Operations Unit (ERSOU) and Essex Police.
“Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon formally declared the incident as terrorism. The early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism,” the Met confirmed in a statement.
The Met is carrying out searches at two addresses in London, which are ongoing.
The Tory MP for Southend West was holding a surgery at the Belfairs Methodist Church, in Leigh-on-Sea when he was attacked shortly after midday. He died at the scene.
A man reportedly ran into the church on Eastwood Road North and stabbed the MP “several times”.
Essex Police said a 25-year-old was quickly arrested and a knife was recovered. He is currently being held in custody on suspicion of murder at an Essex police station.
Sir David, 69, – a married father-of-five – had been MP for Southend West since 1997 and first entered parliament in 1983.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has since asked police forces to review security arrangements for MPs.
She labelled the killing a “senseless attack on democracy,” adding that “questions are rightly being asked about the safety of our country’s elected representatives.”
Sir David’s murder follows that of Labour MP Jo Cox who was fatally shot and stabbed outside a library in Birstall, West Yorkshire where she had been due to hold a constituency meeting in 2016, and that of Labour MP for East Ham, Stephen Timms, who was stabbed in 2010, also at a constituency meeting.
I am devastated we have lost Sir David Amess. David was not only a fellow Essex MP, but a kind and loyal friend. pic.twitter.com/cwAT3AsKZ5
— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) October 15, 2021
The Met said it believes the arrested man acted alone and said it is not seeking “anyone else in connection with the incident at this time. However, enquiries into the circumstances continue.”
Detectives urge any witnesses or anyone with information about Sir David’s murder to contact police.
If you have any information that could assist the investigation, then please call police in confidence on 0800 789 321. Anyone with moving footage or pictures is asked to submit them via this linkÂ
Related links:
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Sir David Amess: Widower of Labour MP Jo Cox leads tributes to murdered MP
- Conservative MP Sir David Amess dies after being stabbed ‘multiple times’
