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BREAKING: Conservative MP Sir David Amess stabbed ‘multiple times’
Published 13:47 15 Oct 2021 BST
Updated 15:41 15 Oct 2021 BST
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Update: Sir David Amess has now been confirmed dead
Conservative MP, Sir David Amess, has been stabbed multiple times at a constituency surgery. The Tory MP for Southend West was holding a surgery at the Belfairs Methodist Church, in Leigh-on-Sea.
A man reportedly ran into the church on Eastwood Road North just before 1pm and stabbed the MP "several times".
Armed police and an air ambulance were seen outside the church after the stabbing on Friday.
https://twitter.com/LeeJordo1/status/1448980984687439874?s=20
A man wielding a knife is understood to have run into the building just before 1pm, before attacking the politician.
The assault was witnessed by horrified constituents and staff, who had been waiting to speak with the MP.
Sir David Amess' last message on Twitter encouraged constituents to meet him at the surgery he held today (Friday). It detailed the location of where it was being held.
It is believed Amess has been receiving treatment at the scene for his injuries. His condition is unclear. Just before 2pm, a man working on the property next door told LBC an air ambulance and paramedics were still outside Amess' constituency office. Essex Police confirmed a man had been arrested following an incident in Leigh-on-Sea. In a statement Essex police said "We were called to reports of a stabbing in Eastwood North Road shortly after 12.05pm today (Friday 15 October) "We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the wider public" The force have asked any members of the public with CCTV or further information to report online at http://www.essex.police.uk Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "Horrific and deeply shocking news."Thinking of David, his family and his staff." Political Commentator Kevin Maguire tweeted: "Shocking violent attack on another MP, this time David Amess. "Injury to one really is an injury to all in a democracy." Times Columnist Janice Turner said "Our MPs are extraordinarily open in their dealings with the public "Every time I've been to a constituency surgery, I've thought how exposed the MP seems. An every day bravery, regardless of party, we only acknowledge when tragedy occurs." https://twitter.com/VictoriaPeckham/status/1448997278467899406?s=20
Sir David Amess, 69, was first elected to Parliament in 1983. He has served as the Member of Parliament for Southend West, his current constituency, since 1997.
A long-term eurosceptic, Amess was vocal supporter of Brexit and the Leave means Leave campaign.
This is the third time an MP has been stabbed in little over a decade.
Labour MP for East Ham, Stephen Timms, was stabbed in 2010 also at a constituency meeting. Roshonara Choudhry stabbed the MP twice during an appointment she had scheduled at his office. The violent attack was in revenge for his vote for the Iraq war.
On Friday afternoon Stephen Timms said he was appalled to hear of the attack, tweeting "I know him well and am thinking of him with very best wishes as we await further news"
On the 16th June, 2015, Labour MP Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed outside a library in Birstall, West Yorkshire where she had been due to hold a constituency meeting.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
The Jo Cox Foundation, set up in memoriam for the late Labour MP tweeted they were "horrified to hear the news of the attack on Sir David Amess MP.
"We are thinking of him, his family and loved ones at this distressing time."
