Cornwall pays tribute to MP Sir David Amess following fatal stabbing
The 69-year-old died after being stabbed multiple times whilst he was meeting people in his Southend constituency
Last updated 15th Oct 2021
Cornwall has been paying tribute following the death of Conservative MP Sir David Amess.
The 69-year-old was stabbed multiple times whilst he was meeting people in his Southend constituency this afternoon (15th October).
Sir David, who has been an MP since 1983, was fatally injured at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex midday on Friday.
The father-of-five is the second sitting MP to be killed in such circumstances in five years, following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 as she attended a constituency surgery.
Police say the suspect, a 25-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Now our local MPs and Cornwall Council have paid tribute following Sir David's death.
Steve Double, the MP for St Austell and Newquay, told us:
"Sir David was just one of the nicest, kindest people you could ever imagine. It is just incredibly shocking that again just a few years after the tragic death of Jo Cox we have another sitting MP who has been killed while going about their job as an MP, and it is just so incredibly sad.
"Just to have one of our colleagues lose their life in this way while going about that everyday job of being an MP, meeting with and trying to help local people, is just such a shock."
Cherilyn Mackrory, MP for Truro and Falmouth, wrote on Facebook:
"Desperately sad and upset to see the news about Sir David this afternoon. My thoughts are with his wife, children and staff.
"MP advice surgeries are done so we can be approachable and help those who are vulnerable, and want questions and concerns addressed. Just this morning I held my own advice surgery in Truro.
"Whatever your politics, this is an attack on our democracy."
Scott Mann, the MP for North Cornwall said:
“I have known Sir David Amess as a friend, colleague and more recently as his whip. He was a kind, gentle, thoughtful man who represented the people of Southend brilliantly. A shining light was extinguished in Westminster today, my thoughts are with his family, friends and his staff at this incredibly difficult time.”
South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray wrote on Twitter:
"Sir David was a true friend to us all and will be missed."
And the Leader of Cornwall Council, Linda Taylor, added:
"I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of MP Sir David Amess.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time."