Our hearts are shattered. No one should die like this

Family’s plea to ‘set aside hatred’ over MP who said his work came at a price

The family of murdered Sir David Amess said last night they were shattered by his ‘cruel and violent death’.

In a heartbreaking statement, his relatives said they were ‘absolutely broken’ and struggling to understand why the 69year-old ‘patriot and a man of peace’ was targeted by a knifeman he had never met.

Calling for people to be tolerant and ‘set aside hatred’, his widow Julia, their son and four daughters paid tribute to the ‘wonderful and inspiring’ MP whom they were ‘enormously proud’ of.

‘Strong and courageous is an appropriate way to describe David. he was a patriot and a man of peace,’ the family said.

‘So, we ask people to set aside their differences and show kindness and love to all. This is the only way forward.’

The statement added: ‘As a family, we are trying to understand why this awful thing has occurred. Nobody should die in that way. Nobody. Please let some good come from this tragedy.’

The poignant statement was among a number of tributes made to Sir David yesterday – who had formerly warned his family ‘paid a big price’ for his service as an MP.

And Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay hoyle said Sir David will be honoured with a coat of arms in Parliament, as happened with Labour MP Jo Cox following her murder.

Boris Johnson will today lead tributes to the veteran MP in the Commons, where a minute’s silence will be held.

Tory MP Mark Francois described Sir David as his ‘oldest and best friend in politics’ as he laid flowers outside where he was killed.

‘he was the best bloke I ever knew,’ Mr Francois said tearfully, adding that he would say more about his friend at the house of Commons tribute.

Alex Bright, a Tory councillor in Southend, also paid tribute to the MP’s ‘passion and commitment’ as an interview of Sir David resurfaced from ten years ago.

The clip, which Mr Bright filmed as a sixth form student in 2011, shows Sir David saying: ‘You asked me earlier about the impact on one’s private life and how you balance social events with your family – very, very tough indeed.

‘All I will say is – and I speak with some feeling having five children – my family has paid a big price for my being a Member of Parliament. Of that there is no doubt.’

Mr Bright told the Sunday People: ‘That quote really stood out – looking back on what has just happened, it’s evident this was true.’

The video emerged as pressure grew for Southend to be granted city status following Sir David’s long-running campaign.

Asked about it on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, home Secretary Priti Patel said there will be ‘work in government’ on it.

Pushed on whether it could become a reality, Miss Patel continued: ‘All I will say is that when David’s name is mentioned going forward, he will bring great cheers and smiles to everybody because he was Mr Southend, Mr essex.

‘he would always put Southend front and centre of his work. That was David through and through.’

Sir David campaigned relentlessly for the cause in the house of Commons and even secured an adjournment debate on the subject in December 2019.

Sir Lindsay also endorsed the late MP’s campaign to make Southend a city, saying it was the ‘biggest and greatest’ thing that could be done for Sir David.

Speaking to Times Radio, Sir

Lindsay said that a church service will be held in Westminster to remember Sir David’s life and a book of condolence will be available for MPs to sign.

‘Terrorism will not succeed. These people will not overcome democracy,’ he added.

Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell and Labour MP Wes Streeting also paid homage to ‘a great friend’ as they called for more civility in politics.

Mr Rosindell told Sky News’s Trevor Phillips on Sunday: ‘David was a passionate person and he had strong beliefs.

‘he was uncompromising in what he stood for, but the things he stood for were wonderful causes, for instance animal welfare, he was a huge animal welfare supporter.

‘he would always have time for everybody he met, he didn’t just brush you off, he would spend time talking to all the people he met and nothing would be too much.

‘We’re going to miss him, he was a fantastic MP and a great friend.’

Mr Streeting told the programme that there were many ‘cross-party friendships’ but that politics had to be more respectful.

‘I think robust debate is a healthy part of democracy, but I think perhaps we might impugn each other’s motives a little less,’ he said.

‘I think we’ve also got to reflect on the specific circumstances as to how two Members of Parliament have lost their lives in this way, and I think that’s about more than civility, it’s about extremism, we’ve got to tackle that too.’

The Pope also condemned Sir David’s death, describing global violence as ‘a defeat for everyone’.

‘Last week various attacks were carried out, for example in Norway, Afghanistan, england,’ he said.

‘I express my closeness to the families of the victims. I implore you, please, to abandon the path of violence, which is always a losing one, a defeat for all.

‘Let’s remember that violence generates violence.’