Man charged with murder of Sir David Amess pleads not guilty
He denies killing the Southend West MP in October
Last updated 21st Dec 2021
Ali Harbi Ali, 25, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of MP Sir David Amess and preparing acts of terrorism.
He is charged with murdering the Conservative MP for Southend West during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex.
He is also accused of preparing acts of terrorism between 1st May 2019 and 28th September 2021.
Ali entered not guilty pleas to the charges at a hearing before Mr Justice Sweeney at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.
The senior judge appeared remotely from Manchester Crown Court while Ali was in the dock at the Central Criminal Court in London.
The defendant, wearing a blue sweatshirt and grey jogging bottoms, stood with his arms crossed as he confirmed his identity and entered pleas without removing his face mask.
Previously, a provisional trial date had been set at the Old Bailey for March 7 next year.
Following discussions with prosecutor Tom Little QC and defence barrister Tracy Ayling QC, Mr Justice Sweeney agreed to put the trial back to March 21.
Following the half-hour hearing, the defendant was remanded into custody.