British Tory MP Sir David Amess murdered while meeting constituents

Boris Johnson left ‘heart-stricken’ after a British Tory MP was stabbed to death while meeting with constituents in a local church.

Conservative MP for Southend West David Amess has been murdered while meeting with constituents in a church in southeast England.

A British Conservative politician has been murdered after being stabbed multiple times while meeting with constituents in a Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, 50km east of London on Friday.

Sir David Amess, 69, who represents Southend West in Essex, was attacked inside the Belfairs Church and died at the scene before horrified witnesses.

The father of five, and long time animal lover, was one of the longest serving MPs and has been described by his colleagues as a kind and decent man and respected parliamentarian.

Police said that his 25-year-old attacker was a Somalian man.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: The union flag flies at half mast in Downing Street following the murder of Sir David Amess. Picture: Getty

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “all our hearts are full of shock and sadness”. He described Sir David as “one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics”.

Mr Johnson said: “We’ve lost today a fine public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague. I think everybody was deeply shocked and heart-stricken and our thoughts are very much with his family, with his wife and his children.”

Conservative MP for Southend West, David Amess. Picture: AFP

Witnesses say Sir David was attacked by a man who ran into the building, stabbing the politician multiple times. The attacker has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Sir David had been the MP for Southend West since 1997 and he first entered parliament 38 years ago.

It is unclear why Sir David was attacked. He has been an opponent to LGBT rights and same sex marriage and was also fiercely opposed to fox-hunting. He had supported Brexit.

Police forensics officers work at the scene of a fatal stabbing incident at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, in southeast England on October 15. Picture: AFP

Carrie Johnson, the Prime Minister’s wife tweeted: “Absolutely devastating news about Sir David Amess. He was hugely kind and good. An enormous animal lover and a true gent. This is so completely unjust. Thoughts are with his wife and their children.”

Communities Secretary Michael Gove tweeted: “David Amess’s passing is heartbreakingly sad. Just terrible, terrible news.

“He was a good and gentle man, he showed charity and compassion to all, his every word and act were marked by kindness. My heart goes out to his family.”

The attack comes more than five years since the shock murder of British Labour politician Jo Cox in 2016.

A wellwisher places a floral tribute as a journalist speaks to camera at the scene. Picture: AFP

Ms Cox’s husband Brendan said Sir David’s killing “brings everything back”.

“The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us following the loss of Jo. I hope we can do the same for David now,“ he said.

Flags at parliament have been lowered to half mast.

A man prays as people attend a mass in memory of Conservative British lawmaker David Amess, who was fatally stabbed, at Saint Peter's Catholic Parish of Eastwood. Picture: AFP

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said parliamentary security will be reviewed: “This is an incident that will send shockwaves across the parliamentary community and the whole country.

“In the coming days we will need to discuss and examine MPs‘ security and any measures to be taken, but for now, our thoughts and prayers are with David’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Parliament will sit on Monday and begin with tributes from across the political divide.