Who is Sir David Amess? Inside MP's voting record and home life - wife, children & more
SIR DAVID AMESS MP has been stabbed multiple times while attending a constituency surgery at a church today. Who is David Amess?
David Amess: Essex Police confirm death of Conservative MP
Sir David Amess has died after he was stabbed at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea today. The 69-year-old, who is MP for Southend West, was attacked as he held a constituency surgery. Police and ambulance crews raced to the scene, where the Tory MP and Brexiteer received treatment.
According to Sky News, a man walked into his constituency surgery and "stabbed him multiple times" this afternoon.
The incident allegedly took place shortly before 1pm, and police quickly attended with an ambulance crew.
Councillor John Lamb said he got the call about the "dreadful" attack just after midday and rushed to the church where two ambulances were at the scene.
He added "they've been working on him all that time here" as other eye witnesses from the scene said the MP was fighting for his life after the attack.
Mr Lamb added: "He's a family man, he's got four daughters and a son.
"He's always trying to help people and especially refugees he's tried to help. He's a very amicable person and he does stick by his guns, he says what he believes and he sticks by it."
Police have arrested one man following today's incident.
Who is David Amess?
Sir David Amess was the Conservative MP for the Essex constituency Southend West.
The MP, 69, hails from Plaistow (now Newham) and worked as a teacher, underwriter and recruiter before representing the Conservatives.
He joined the Tory ranks in 1983 as MP for Basildon and moved to his current constituency in 1997.
David Amess voting record
He spent his time in politics advocating staunchly for animal rights - being among few Conservatives opposed to fox hunting - and international peace.
Sir David consistently voted for the hunting ban and voted against culling badgers to tackle bovine tuberculosis.
On September 23 this year, he called for a Parliamentary debate on World Animal Day, which fell during recess on October 4.
He advocated for an opportunity to "talk about animal welfare generally, cruelty to animals and the welfare of farmyard animals".
He voted for new high-speed rail structure, as well as higher taxes on plane tickets, but voted against some measures to prevent climate change.
Sir David has also almost always voted in favour of using UK military forces in combat overseas, as well as voting for the replacement of Trident with a new nuclear weapons system.
On September 26, he delivered a speech on the importance of international peace and safety.
He addressed the Conference of the Parliamentary Intelligence Security Forum in Budapest, where he spoke about how countries should approach the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.
Sir David said: "With the sudden withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan from a number of countries, it is of upmost importance that the Taliban do not get hold of lethal abandoned military equipment.
"If they do, they will be able to use them in their violent attacks or sell them on the black market only increasing their income and therefore their terrorism."
"We need to use specifically targeted intelligence and contacts in the country to ensure the procurement and sale of this powerful equipment is curbed.
"We do not want to be inadvertently funding the Taliban."
He previously voted against equal rights and same-sex marriage, and has also opposed euthanasia legislation while appearing in favour of reintroducing capital punishment.
The MP also voted against UK membership of the EU, and against more EU integration prior to Britain’s exit.
Sir David wrote on December 2020 in a Twitter post alongside an image of Margaret Thatcher: "Whilst Margaret didn't live long enough to see this day, I am sure she is rejoicing in heaven. At last we 'got Brexit done'!"
David Amess wife and children
Sir David was married to wife Julia Arnold, with whom he has five children.
His daughter, Katie Amess, is an actress and model, having starred in films such as Captain America: Civil War in 2016.
She has also competed in several British beauty pageants and won the title of Miss Essex 2008 for the Miss Earth 2008 contest.