Who Was David Amess? The British MP Stabbed To Death In His Constituency

David Amess had served as an MP for 38 years, since 1983. He was knighted in 2015.

David Amess (File Photo/ Getty Images)

New Delhi: British Conservative MP Sir David Amess died Friday after he was stabbed during a meeting at his constituency in Essex.The Southend West MP was reported to be meeting his constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, when an assailant attacked and stabbed him, the UK media reported.

The incident took place around noon, local time. According to reports, paramedics had tried to revive the 69-year-old, who had received multiple injuries in the attack, but he died at the scene.A knife was found at the crime scene.

The Essex police have arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of murder. Quoting sources, a BBC report said the accused is a British national who could be of Somali heritage.

The police are not looking for any other suspect, the report said.
The motive of the crime is not clear yet, and the police said they are investigating with an “open mind”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed shock over the killing, and called Amess "one of the kindest" people in politics.

Who Was Sir David Amess?

Amess had served as an MP for 38 years, since 1983. He initially represented Basildon, before moving to Southend West in 1997, according to a BBC report.
Born in Plaistow in east London in 1952, Amess was raised as a Roman Catholic, and was known as a social conservative. The married man with five children had prominently campaigned against abortion, the BBC report said. 

He also campaigned on animal welfare issues, and was in favour of a ban on fox hunting. Amess was a Brexit supporter, and had been campaigning to make Southend a city. 

Though Amess had been an MP for 38 years, he never became a minister. He was, however, on numerous Commons committees, including the Health and Social Care and Backbench Business Committee.

Amess had done his schooling in London, and also taught at a school there. Before becoming an MP, he was a recruitment consultant, according to BBC.
Amess was knighted in the 2015 New Year's Honours List for political and public service