Amess suspect ‘plotted to kill an MP for 2 years’
Sir David’s killer was affiliated to Islamic State, say prosecutors
THE alleged murderer of Sir David Amess had planned to kill an MP for two years and targeted other politicians before the attack, a court heard yesterday.
Ali Harbi Ali, 25, who prosecutors said was ‘affiliated to Islamic State’, is alleged to have begun preparing to commit a terrorist atrocity as far back as May 2019.
He allegedly carried out surveillance on two other MPs before selecting Sir David on the basis of his voting record on Syria, a court heard yesterday.
London-born Ali, who hails from a prominent Somalian family, is accused of carrying out reconnaissance on around a dozen occasions, including at an MP’s home and at the constituency surgery of another politician.
He also considered an attack on the Houses of Parliament, it was alleged.
The aspiring medic selected the veteran Tory MP on the basis that he had voted in support of airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
Prosecutor James Cable said Ali made an appointment to see Sir David, 69. A week later, he is said to have travelled to the appointment by train from his home in Kentish Town, north London, arriving at Leigh-on-Sea in Essex at 11.40am last Friday.
At 12pm he was welcomed into the constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church and taken by a woman aide to meet the Southend West MP in a back office, it is alleged.
The court heard that the alleged
‘Screaming for help’
killer was seen to use his mobile phone and send a message on WhatsApp before he stood up and suddenly pulled out a large knife from his pocket.
Sir David was stabbed multiple times while his horrified aide ran from the room screaming for help. Paramedics battled to save the father-of-five but he was pronounced dead at 1.30pm.
According to a preliminary post-mortem report, the cause of death was multiple stab wounds to the chest.
Yesterday Ali appeared for the first time in court charged with murder and preparing acts of terrorism for a period of more than two years between May 1, 2019 and
September this year. The Crown Prosecution Service alleges that the killing has a terrorist connection because of the suspect’s ‘religious and ideological’ motives.
The separate terror charge relates to earlier alleged reconnaissance of one MP’s home in
March, June and July this year and Ali was also said to have carried out surveillance outside another MP’s constituency surgery last month.
Mr Cable said Ali considered an attack at the Houses of Parliament but decided it was ‘not practical’.
During yesterday’s hearing, which lasted just 13 minutes, the bespectacled defendant showed no emotion, listening intently to the proceedings with his arms folded in the dock.
Dressed in a grey prison-issue tracksuit, Ali spoke only to confirm his name and address.
No pleas were entered during the brief hearing before he was remanded in custody by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring.
Nick Price, of the CPS, said: ‘We will submit to the court that this murder has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations.’
Metropolitan Police Assistant
‘Review MPs’ security’
Commissioner Matt Jukes said: ‘A large team of detectives have been working around the clock to find out as much as we can about what happened and why.
‘That work has included searches at a number of London addresses. Our advanced forensics team analysed digital devices and carried out a painstaking review of CCTV footage.
‘If there are members of the public who have further information that might help the investigation, I would urge them to come forward.
‘Every piece of information in investigations like these is important and you will not be wasting our time.’
Mr Jukes also confirmed security arrangements at Parliament remained under review.
He said: ‘We’ve been working closely with Parliament’s own security team and with the Home Office to review existing arrangements for MPs’ security, and that work will continue.
‘Police forces across the country have been working with individual MPs to review their specific arrangements.’