‘Horrified and deeply saddened’ - Bristol MPs react after Tory MP Sir David Amess dies in stabbing attack

Bristol MPs have reacted to the death of a Conservative MP who was repeatedly stabbed as he met constituents.

Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West in Essex, was attacked on Friday (October 15) at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.

The incident happened at his constituency surgery when a man walked in and stabbed him several times.

Essex Police confirmed that they had arrested a man and recovered a knife at the scene.

Sir David, 69, had been an MP since 1983.

In a statement, the Essex Police said: “A man has been arrested on suspicion murder after a man was stabbed in Leigh-on-Sea.

“We were called to an address in Eastwood Road North shortly after 12.05pm today (Friday 15 October).

“We attended and found a man injured.

“He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene.”

Bristol North West MP Darren Jones described Sir David as ‘one of the loveliest and most committed MPs in the Commons’.

On Twitter, he said: “Horrified and deeply saddened by the murder of Sir David Amess.

“MPs may come from different parties but we’re all in Parliament to serve our constituents and our country together.

“This hurts all of us, as well as our democracy. RIP, Sir David.”

Also on Twitter, Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire said: “This is terrible news - an attack on a constituency MP going about the business of helping his constituents which is an attack on democracy as well as anguish for David and his family.”