Cops probe terror link to MP’s killing

London, October 16

Scotland Yard on Saturday said the killing of Conservative MP David Amess was being treated as a terrorist attack and it was probing a potential Islamist terrorism link to the fatal stabbing, an incident that has shocked the country and prompted calls for a review of security measures for lawmakers.

Johnson visits site

Leigh-on-Sea: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday laid flowers outside the church where a lawmaker was stabbed to death a day earlier, in what police say was a terrorist attack probably linked to Islamist extremism. Johnson, interior minister Priti Patel, and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer were among those to lay flowers in tribute to Amess at the scene of the murder. “To the memory of Sir David Amess MP, a fine parliamentarian and a much-loved colleague and friend”, Johnson said in a hand-written note placed in the flowers, adding in a Twitter post that his thoughts were with Amess’ family. Reuters

Amess, 69, a member of the ruling Conservative Party, died after being stabbed several times on Friday as he was meeting his constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

A 25-year-old British man, believed to be of Somali heritage, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “A 25-year-old British man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. He is currently in custody at a police station in Essex. As part of the investigation, officers are carrying out searches at two addresses in London area. It is believed that he acted alone.”

The investigation is being led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, alongside the Eastern Region Specialist Operations Unit (ERSOU) and Essex Police, and the police have urged any witnesses to come forward to assist their inquiries with any video footage.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to the late Tory MP as “one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics”.

Amess represented Southend West and was holding a constituency surgery – where voters can meet their elected MP and discuss concerns – at the church on Friday when he was attacked. He had been an MP since 1983. He is the second serving British member of Parliament to be fatally stabbed in the past five years following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016. — PTI