Touching tributes paid to Sir David

The life of “brilliant” constituency MP Sir David Amess, was celebrated during a funeral service in Southend yesterday.

Mourners paid their respects to the Southend West Tory MP during a private ecumenical service at St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell, with people lining the streets to pay their respects.

The father of five was stabbed to death while holding a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leighon-sea on October 15.

The devout Catholic’s friend and colleague Mark Francois delivered a eulogy, praising Sir David’s service to his constituents and the brilliant sense of humour of the man he branded the “original Essex cheeky chappy”. The Rayleigh and Wickford MP told those gathered: “Whatever the weaknesses of Parliament, David Amess was the living embodiment of all its strengths.”

The former minister said in his tribute that, despite the “awful tragedy” of Sir David’s death, the country should now “keep calm and carry on” as that is “what

he would have wanted us all to do”.

In recognition of Sir David’s long-running campaign for Southend to be made a city finding posthumous success, Mr Francois said his fellow MP had “won in the end”.

Former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe read a statement on behalf of the Amess family asking people to “set aside hatred”.

Sir David’s coffin, draped in a Union flag, was carried

by pallbearers from Southend Fire Service.

After the church service, they carried the coffin to a horse-drawn hearse for a procession around Southend with hundreds of people gathered outside Southend’s Civic Centre to pay their respects as it arrived. A requiem mass will be held today at Westminster Cathedral in London, where a message from the Pope will be shared.

RESPECT: Sir David Amess’ coffin was carried by officers from Southend Fire Service.

Sir David Amess.