Family ‘broken’ by Sir David’s murder
THE family of murdered Sir David Amess have urged people to be tolerant and “set aside hatred” as counter-terrorism officers investigate the Conservative MP’s killing.
In a statement released through the Metropolitan Police, Sir David’s family said they are “absolutely broken” after he was attacked while meeting constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leighon-Sea, Essex, on Friday.
Paying tribute to the MP, who was married with four daughters and a son, the family said: “Strong and courageous is an appropriate way to describe David. He was a patriot and a man of peace.
“So, we ask people to set aside their differences and show kindness and love to all.
“This is the only way forward. Set aside hatred and work towards togetherness.
“Whatever one’s race, religious or political beliefs, be tolerant and try to understand.
“As a family, we are trying to understand why this awful thing has occurred. Nobody should die in that way. Nobody.”
Tributes have flooded in from parliamentarians from across the political spectrum as well as constituents, and the family said these had given them “strength”.
“The family would like to thank everyone for the wonderful, wonderful tributes paid to David following his cruel and violent death. It truly has brought us so much comfort,” they said.
“The support shown by friends, constituents and the general public alike has been so overwhelming.”
A 25-year-old man, understood by the PA news agency to be Ali Harbi Ali, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of Sir David’s murder and remains in police custody.
He has been detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and a warrant of further detention, which allows detectives to hold the suspect until October 22, was granted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
The Met earlier said its investigation had “revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism”.
The Home Office would not comment on reports that the suspect has the same details as a man previously referred to Prevent, the Government’s anti-terror scheme.
Officers have searched addresses in London thought to be linked to the counter-terrorism investigation.
Meanwhile it was announced yesterday that police could be called in to guard MPs’ surgeries to keep them safe, following the murder of Sir David.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said protection for MPs while they are holding talks with constituents was one of the options being considered under a “whole spectrum” of measures to address safety concerns, after the Southend West MP’s killing last Friday.
It came as Labour shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy admitted she did not feel safe when going about her Wigan constituency and said she was not sure the situation was “recoverable” for public servants, following the killing of two serving MPs in the past five years.
Sir David, 69, had been an MP since 1983, and was meeting constituents when he was stabbed multiple times.
His death comes after the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, Jo Cox, was murdered in 2016 as she was on her way to a constituency surgery.