The UK politician died after being stabbed multiple times.
Police are treating the killing of UK Conservative MP David Amess as a terrorist incident and have said there is a potential link to Islamist extremism.
The investigation into the death of Amess on Friday (15 October) is being led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command who are working with colleagues from the Eastern Region Specialist Operations Unit (ERSOU) and Essex Police.
“Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon formally declared the incident as terrorism,” the Met confirmed in a statement.
“The early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism.”
The Met said it was carrying out searches at two addresses in London in the early hours of Saturday.
The Tory MP for Southend West was holding a surgery at the Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea when he was attacked shortly after midday. He died at the scene.
A man reportedly ran into the church on Eastwood Road North and stabbed the MP several times.
Essex Police said a 25-year-old was quickly arrested and a knife was recovered. He is currently being held in custody on suspicion of murder at an Essex police station.
A married father-of-five, the 69-year-old Amess had been MP for Southend West since 1997 and first entered parliament in 1983.
UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has since asked police forces to review security arrangements for MPs.
She labelled the killing a “senseless attack on democracy,” adding that “questions are rightly being asked about the safety of our country’s elected representatives.”
Amess’ killing follows that of Labour MP Jo Cox who was fatally shot and stabbed outside a library in Birstall, West Yorkshire where she had been due to hold a constituency meeting in 2016.
I am devastated we have lost Sir David Amess. David was not only a fellow Essex MP, but a kind and loyal friend. pic.twitter.com/cwAT3AsKZ5
— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) October 15, 2021
Regarding Amess’ death, the Met said it is not seeking “anyone else in connection with the incident at this time”.
However, it added that enquiries into the circumstances of the killing continue.
Detectives urge any witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to contact police.
If you have any information that could assist the investigation, you can call police in confidence on 0800 789 321.
Anyone with footage or pictures is asked to submit them via this link
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