Sir David Amess was attacked at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex (Picture: Rex/w8media)
A 25-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed to death at a constituency surgery on Friday.
Ali Harbi Ali is said to have launched the attack at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where the MP was knifed while visitors waited to see him.
Police and paramedics arrived at the church within minutes, but the 69-year-old father-of-five died soon afterwards.
Ali was arrested at the scene immediately on suspicion of murder. He’s also been charged with terror offences.
In a statement, Nick Price, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ‘The CPS has authorised charges against Ali Harbi Ali for the murder of MP Sir David Amess on Friday 15 October 2021.
‘We will submit to the court that this murder has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations.
‘He has also been charged with the preparation of terrorist acts. This follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation.
‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Ali are active and that he has a right to a fair trial.’
Forensic officers and police at Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North (Picture: PA)
Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations, Matt Jukes updates the media on the investigation (Picture: Getty)
The MP’s death shocked Westminster, with several other politicians raising fears for their safety.
Police are now working with parliamentary authorities on ways to protect lawmakers when they appear in public.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer came together to lay flowers outside the church last Saturday.
Mr Johnson said Sir David was ‘one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics’.
Senior politicians from all political parties paid tribute to Sir David and flags on government buildings and outside Parliament were flown at half-mast.
Streams of well-wishers also laid flowers near a police cordon outside the church.
The Prime Minister said Sir Davis was ‘one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics’ (Picture: Penelope Barritt/REX/Shutterstock
