British MP stabbed to death while meeting constituents

Stunned British MPs paid tribute to the slain MP as a dedicated local representative with deep links to the community.

Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the attack was “appalling”.

“This angry, violent behaviour cannot be tolerated in politics or any other walk of life.”

Duncan Smith told the BBC that MPs had to be accessible to voters and “we don’t want to be cowered or frightened into doing something different”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the incident was “horrific and deeply shocking news”.

Amess is the second MP to have been murdered in the past five years.

Jo Cox, 41, was stabbed and shot by far-right terrorist Thomas Mair in June 2016 ahead of the Brexit referendum. Labour MP Stephen Timms was also stabbed in 2010 but survived.

Cox’s husband, Brendan, said his thoughts were with Amess’ family.

“They are all that matter now,” he said.

“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.”

In a book Amess authored last year, the MP wrote about the impact of Cox’s murder on British politics and the safety of politicians.

“She was a young woman with a family going about her duties as we all do, completely unaware of the threat she faced. While it is often said that good can come out of someone’s death, it is difficult to see what good can come from this senseless murder,” the politician wrote.

Amess continued that he had experienced “nuisance” from some members of the public at his own home.

“We regularly check our locks and many others have CCTV cameras installed but probably the most significant change has been with constituency surgeries,” he wrote.

“The British tradition has always been that members of Parliament regularly make themselves available for constituents to meet them face-to-face at their surgeries. Now advice has been given to be more careful when accepting appointments.

“We are advised to never see people alone, we must be extra careful when opening post and we must ensure that our offices are properly safe and secure. In short, these increasing attacks have rather spoilt the great British tradition of the people openly meeting their elected politicians.”

Andrew Bowie, a vice-president of the Conservative Party, said Amess was a close friend and colleague.

“A man more dedicated to his constituents you could not ever hope to meet,” Bowie said. “To have been attacked like this during a surgery is horrific.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said on Twitter: “Our elected representatives must be able to live and work without fear of violence or intimidation if we are to maintain our democracy.”

Australian businessman Jason Groves, who served on the board of a charity which Amess chaired, said the MP was “one of most dedicated and nicest MPs I’ve ever known”.

“Why anyone would do something so utterly evil is beyond me.”

House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle predicted “shockwaves” from the murder of Amess would prompt a review into how MPs meet the public.

“In the coming days we will need to discuss and examine MPs’ security and any measures to be taken, but for now, our thoughts and prayers are with David’s family, friends and colleagues.”

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