• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home World

British lawmaker murdered in knife attack at meeting in church

15 October 2021, 5:19 PM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Police officers are seen at the scene where MP David Amess was stabbed during constituency surgery, in Leigh-on-Sea, Britain October 15, 2021.

Police officers are seen at the scene where MP David Amess was stabbed during constituency surgery, in Leigh-on-Sea, Britain October 15, 2021.

Image: Reuters

Police officers are seen at the scene where MP David Amess was stabbed during constituency surgery, in Leigh-on-Sea, Britain October 15, 2021.

A British lawmaker was stabbed to death on Friday in a church by a man who lunged at him at a meeting with voters from his electoral district, knifing him repeatedly.

David Amess, a 69-year-old lawmaker from Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party, was attacked at around midday at a meeting at the Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, east of London.

“He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene,” police said. “A 25-year-old man was quickly arrested after officers arrived at the scene on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered.”

Armed police swooped on the church and detectives said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. There was no detail about the motivation for the attack.

Emergency services had fought to save his life inside the church – where a sign says “All are welcome here” – but in vain.

Colleagues from across parliament expressed their shock and paid tribute to Amess, who held regular meetings with voters on the first and third Friday of the month, saying he was diligent in his duties to his local area.

Flags in Downing Street were lowered in tribute.

Amess, married with five children, was first elected to parliament to represent Basildon in 1983, and then stood for Southend West in 1997. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his public service in 2015.

His website listed his main interests as “animal welfare and pro-life issues.”

He was popular with lawmakers and known for his active contributions to debates – often about issues relating to his Essex constituency or animal rights.

“He was stabbed several times,” John Lamb, a local councillor at the scene, told Reuters.

Attack on democracy

The stabbing at a meeting with constituents has echoes of a 2010 incident when Labour lawmaker Stephen Timms survived a stabbing in his constituency office, and the 2016 fatal shooting of Labour’s Jo Cox just days before the Brexit referendum.

“Attacking our elected representatives is an attack on democracy itself,” Cox’s husband Brendan said on Twitter.

“There is no excuse, no justification. It is as cowardly as it gets.”

“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.”

As grim news of the attack emerged, Prime Minister Johnson rushed back to London from a meeting in Bristol, western England. Colleagues said Amess was a gentle man and cast him as a true gentleman.

“This is the most devastating, horrific & tragic news,” former Prime Minister David Cameron said on Twitter.

“Words cannot adequately express the horror of what has happened today.”

Johnson’s wife, Carrie, said she was devastated.

“Absolutely devastating news about Sir David Amess. He was hugely kind and good,” she said on Twitter. “An enormous animal lover and a true gent. This is so completely unjust.”

Share article
Previous Post

WHO to send in experts to prevent sexual abuse after Congo scandal: Diplomats

Next Post

Bitcoin tops $60 000, nears record high, on growing US ETF hopes

Related Posts

Elon Musk attends the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, March 22, 2022. Patrick Pleul/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Musk breaks silence on Twitter, posts a picture with the pope

2 July 2022, 12:50 PM
3D printed Natural Gas Pipes are placed on displayed German and Russian flags in this illustration taken, January 31, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo

Hamburg senator warns of hot water rationing if gas shortage becomes acute

2 July 2022, 7:36 AM
Rescuers work at a site of the regional administration building hit by cruise missiles, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Mykolaiv.

Blasts rock Ukraine’s Mykolaiv after missiles kill 21 near Odesa

2 July 2022, 6:03 AM
Major geological fault lines crisscross Iran, which has suffered several devastating earthquakes in recent years.

[UPDATE] At least five killed in magnitude 6.1 quake on Iran Gulf coast

2 July 2022, 4:48 AM
The new US aid is meant to bolster Kyiv as it confronts heavy pounding by Russian artillery.

US sending Ukraine two surface-to-air missile systems – Pentagon

1 July 2022, 11:23 PM
Ukrainian soldiers wave from their tank, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in the village of Kolychivka, outside Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 5, 2022. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

After Snake Island retreat, Russian missile attack kills 21 near Ukraine’s Odesa

1 July 2022, 9:59 PM
Next Post
A representation of the virtual cryptocurrency Bitcoin.

Bitcoin tops $60 000, nears record high, on growing US ETF hopes

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • E Cape Liquor Board says Enyobeni tavern owner will face criminal charges
  • Zulu Royal Palace abuzz as King Misuzulu’s cleansing ceremony continues
  • Limpopo residents concerned about illegal harvesting of the Matumi tree
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • Mosimane alleges sabotage from CAF President Patrice Motsepe
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

Elon Musk attends the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, March 22, 2022. Patrick Pleul/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
  • World

Musk breaks silence on Twitter, posts a picture with the pope


A man with luggage walks in the rain on The Bund as Typhoon In-fa approaches Shanghai, China July 25, 2021.
  • Sci-tech

China lashed by year’s first typhoon, record rains forecast


France's Antoine Dupont celebrates scoring their third try with teammates, 19 March 2022.
  • Sport

France turn on strong second half showing to overpower Japan


Image: SAPS
An image of a gavel and handcuffs.
  • South Africa

40-year-old gets Life sentence for murdering a car dealership owner’s son


Jacob Zuma

Image: Reuters

Former RSA President Jacob Zuma.
  • South Africa

DA: Fraser was not permitted to grant Zuma’s medical parole


South African rand notes.
  • Business

R3.4-billion voluntarily returned by employers who were TERS beneficiaries: UIF


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous WHO to send in experts to prevent sexual abuse after Congo scandal: Diplomats
Next Bitcoin tops $60 000, nears record high, on growing US ETF hopes