Pictures show Sir David Amess on last parliamentary trip days before death
He was on a fact finding trip to Qatar.
Last updated 18th Oct 2021
MP Sir David Amess was killed after being stabbed multiple times at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea on Friday October 15th.
He had just returned from an all party parliamentary fact-finding visit to Qatar, which he led, to hear first hand about the impact of the Afghanistan situation, meet refugees and learn more about World Cup preparations.
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell joined him on the trip.
Mr Mundell, who learned of the tragedy during his own constituency engagements and surgeries on Friday, said: "I just felt numb hearing the news about Sir David Amess. It was a truly appalling, senseless and barbaric act of violence which has taken away a man who was kind, gentle, considerate to others but with a wicked sense of humour.
"Sir David was, of course, a long-standing parliamentarian with 38 years as an MP and dedicated to public service and his constituents as we have seen from the effusive tributes paid to him."
David added: "I've spent recent days with Sir David on a parliamentary visit. He was not only great company as head of that delegation but also had a gentle touch dealing with everyone the same whether they were rulers, highest officials, politicians or child refugees who did not speak English.
"I had an exchange of messages with Sir David on Friday morning and I still find what has happened absolutely unbelievable. Just truly, truly awful. My heart goes out to his family, his staff and friends.
"For me what has made these events even worse is that they took place at his constituency surgery, which to me is one of the most important duties for MPs. I believe MPs must be accessible to their constituents and be able to have face to face discussions.
"Obviously, we must learn all the lessons we can from the circumstances of Sir David's murder, but I am determined to continue to have my regular surgeries, even if they may now need to be on an appointment only-basis rather than drop-ins that I have always done until now.
"It would undermine our democracy if constituents cannot see their MPs. That's what our democracy is founded on. It has to be on a basis that MPs and their staff can feel as safe as possible."