– The man of the local community – VG

The Methodist Church where a 25-year-old will have Friday stabbed the Conservative MP to death, is located in a residential area of ​​Southend-on-Sea in Essex east of London.

Sir David Amess (69) held an open house for his constituents, as he used to do every other Friday, when the man is said to have stormed in and attacked.

When VG arrives on the street in Leigh late Friday night, there are a few dozen flower greetings on each side of the police roadblocks. To one of the bouquets is attached a heart-shaped, blue balloon.

A young couple living just inside are let past the barricades. They do not want to say anything. Otherwise, there are no locals at the scene, only TV newsrooms that broadcast live.

But the fact that the street is deserted in the cold, clear autumn evening is not because Sir David’s sudden death happened unnoticed. Reactions to the killing have been strong in the UK.

Acted alone

On Friday night, the murder was categorized as a terrorist attack. Police are now searching two addresses in the London area.

Sir David Amess was a prominent politician who represented the Conservatives in the House of Commons.

The police reports to the BBC that they have arrested and remanded in custody a 25-year-old man on suspicion of murder following the attack on the British legislature.

They said they had found a knife and that they were not searching for other perpetrators in connection with the incident.

Several who knew Sir David express support for the family and remember the profiled politician.

The anti-terror police take over

At a press conference on Friday night, Police Chief Ben-Julian Harrington stated that when the police officers arrived at the scene, Sir David Amess had suffered “several injuries”.

The police chief says that the police response was immediate and that the first police officers had arrived at the scene within minutes.

– The investigation is at a very early stage, and is led by officers in the specialized anti-terrorism section. We made it clear early on that we did not think there were other immediate threats in the area. It is up to the police’s anti-terrorism section to investigate whether this is a terrorist incident, says police chief Ben-Julian Harrington.

Johnson: – Our hearts are full of sorrow

In a public statement, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson pays tribute to his colleague from the Conservative Party.

– All our hearts are filled with shock and sadness today after the loss of Sir David Amess, killed in his constituency in a church after almost 40 years of tireless service to the people of Essex and the UK.

Furthermore, Johnson adds that he was one of the “kindest, most orderly and polite people in politics.”

– He had a unique ability to get through bills to help the most vulnerable, from people suffering from endometriosis, pass laws to end animal cruelty to put in a great effort for people who lacked money for fuel.

Finally, Johnson says:

– Davis was a man who had an intense faith in this country and its future. Today we have lost a good public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague.

– The man of the local community

Sir David Amess comes from a Catholic family and has grown up in modest conditions on the east side of London, where he was born in 1952.

In political life, he distinguished himself with support for Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, as an opponent of abortion, and for many years of commitment to animal welfare.

Sir David has been in Parliament for 38 years after first being elected in 1983.

He never had a ministerial role during his political career, but has worked as an adviser to former ministers such as Edwina Curie and Michael Portillo during Margaret Thatcher’s reign.

A local Conservative adviser, David Garston, cites Sir David’s selfless political behavior as a hallmark of the politician.

– To find a Member of Parliament like Sir David, who did not think of ministerial posts – he was not interested, he was a man of the local community – I would call him irreplaceable, says Garston in an interview with the news agency PA.

Sir David Amess received the title of knight in 2015 for political and public service, an honor he celebrated by dressing up in armor.

Demands security for parliamentarians

Underhusets «speaker», Sir Lindsay Hoyle says to Sky News that he was a wonderful man, devoted to his family, to Parliament, and to the Southend West constituency from which he was elected.

In continuation of the attack, he hopes that the focus on parliamentarians’ security will be increased.

“In the coming days, we will have to discuss and investigate the safety of members of parliament and what measures we should take, but for now our thoughts and prayers are with David’s family, friends and colleagues,” says Sir Hoyle.

In this he gets support from Sir Amess’ predecessor Harvey Proctor, who represented the constituency Basildon in Essex.

– Now is the time to reassess the safety of MPs, especially when they are present at events or on assignments in the constituency, says Proctor to Sky News.

Asks the public to line up

The assassination of the conservative top politician takes place just over five years after Labor politician Jo Cox (41) became shot and stabbed in the open street.

For widower Brendan Cox, the attack evokes fond memories of how his wife was torn from him, but highlights how the public lined up then and hopes it repeats itself now.

“My thoughts and love are with David’s family. They are all that matters now. This brings everything back. The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us after the loss of Jo. I hope we can do the same for David now “, writes Cox.

Held memorial service

Saint Peters Church, located near the scene, called for a memorial service for Sir David Amess on Friday night.

Father Jeffrey Woolnaugh referred to Sir David Amess as’ Mr. Southend ‘in the speech during the ceremony, writes the Jersey Evening Post.

As the pastor places a portrait of Sir David at the altar, he says “I did not expect this liturgy to be held tonight.”

– He had the proud East London demeanor with zero fear and able to talk to people at the level they are at. Not all politicians, I would say, are good at it, the pastor said.

Those who attended the Mass were invited to light a candle and share their own memories of Sir David. A lone candle outside the church burned as residents of the parliamentarian’s constituency reminded him, according to the newspaper.

Stoltenberg condoles

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg shares his condolences on Twitter in a post he shared from Boris Johnson.

– Terrible news from the UK. My thoughts and sympathies go to the family and colleagues of David Amess and to the British people, writes Stoltenberg.

– We are shocked and saddened by the murder of Sir David Amess, who dedicated forty years of his life to serving his community, writes British Prince William and Duchess Kate on his twitter account.

Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab describes Sir David as a “popular politician” and a formidable politician with a big heart.

He further added that Sir David had an “enormously generous spirit, including towards those with whom he disagreed.”

– Rest in peace, my friend, Raab concluded.

Carrie Johnson, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s wife, expresses sympathy in a twitter message:

“Very discouraging news about Sir David Amess. He was very kind and good. A great animal lover and a true gentleman. This is so completely unfair. Thoughts are with his wife and their children ».

Scotland’s Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon is speechless after the news of the assassination.

“This is cruel beyond words. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with David’s family, friends and colleagues. May he rest in peace “, writes Sturgeon.

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