A British Conservative MP has died after being stabbed multiple times on Friday when meeting members of the public in his constituency.
Sir David Amess, 69, who represented Southend West in Essex, was fatally attacked at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.
The father-of-five is the second sitting MP to be killed in such circumstances in five years, following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 as she attended a constituency surgery.
According to Sky News, a man walked into the meeting place and “stabbed him multiple times.”
In a statement, Essex Police said: “We were called to an address in Eastwood Road North shortly after 12.05 p.m. [Friday]. We attended and found a man injured. He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene.”
The force said a 25-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered.
“He is currently in custody,“ the police said. ”We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”
The police did not identify the person arrested, as is standard practice in the UK. Suspects of crimes are usually named after they are charged.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to Amess, calling him “one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics.”
“David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future,“ he said. ”And we’ve lost today a fine public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague, and our thoughts are very much today with his wife, his children, and his family.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer called it “horrific and deeply shocking news.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said on Twitter that it was a “truly terrible day for British politics,“ adding that ”our prayers are with all the people who loved David.”
According to the BBC, Amess was known as a social conservative and a prominent campaigner against abortion.
Following his death, flags have been lowered to half-mast outside Parliament.
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