Local tributes pour in for MP Sir David Amess

Tributes have been paid from across Derbyshire and Greater Manchester to Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who died after being stabbed multiple times during a constituency surgery.

Sir David, 69, had been an MP since 1983 and was married with five children.

The killing of Sir David, who represented Southend West, at a church on Friday afternoon (15 October) in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex is being treated as a terrorist incident by police. 

He is the second serving MP to be killed in the past five years, following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016. 

A number of MPs have since expressed fears for their safety when out meeting constituents, and Home Secretary Priti Patel has asked all police forces to review security arrangements for MPs with "immediate effect". 

The news has understandably been met with immense shock and sadness by many of our local politicians. 

'I cannot even begin to express the full extent of my sorrow' 

Sir David's fellow Conservative MP Robert Largan, who represents the High Peak, said his death was 'absolutely devastating'. 

He added: "Sir David was the kindest and loveliest person. A true gentleman who dedicated his life to public service. My thoughts and prayers are with Sir David’s family at this heartbreaking time.

"This is the second Member of Parliament in recent years to be murdered while carrying out a help and advice surgery. I cannot even begin to express the full extent of my sorrow." 

Mr Largan said his own weekly help and advice surgery in New Mills on Saturday morning would be going ahead as normal. 

Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner, who is also the deputy leader of the Labour Party, shared the words of party leader Sir Keir Starmer, who said: "Horrific and deeply shocking news. Thinking of David, his family and his staff." 

Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds said he was 'devastated' by the news and that MPs 'cannot go on as if this hasn't happened again' when it comes to their safety and security. 

In a lengthy statement on his Facebook page, the Labour MP said: "David was one of the most experienced members of the House of Commons, not far off being the Father of the House, and known for his humour, love of animals, and the way he managed to shoehorn his request that Southend be granted city status into almost every debate he spoke in. He was warm, kind, and always generous with his time when advising new colleagues. He was held in real respect and affection. His wife and children are paramount in all our thoughts right now.

"It has also brought back some difficult memories from five years ago when Jo was murdered. That we have lost two MPs in five years is just unconscionable. And when you consider that but for the grace of God it would have been three in ten years (Stephen Timms) and that the police intercepted the plot to murder Rosie Cooper in 2017 before it happened, well, it’s not good at all.

"There will understandably be many questions regarding safety and security that arise from this. I honestly don’t have the answers right now. The Fridays and weekends when you are home from Parliament are essential to do the job, but they are also the most enjoyable. Just last Friday as I was walking through Armentieres Square during Stalybridge Street Feast I was thinking how nothing beats being able to chat to people in person, to pick up issues but mainly just to make that personal connection with people. I’ve always loved being able to finish a surgery and drop in to a local pub for a pint at the end of the week. It’s the sort of thing MPs have been doing for decades. I don’t want that to change but I know we can’t go on as if this hasn’t happened again.

"Many people have got in touch this afternoon with a kind word and a message to stay safe. This really is appreciated. Also thanks to our local Greater Manchester Police Officers who have always been extremely supportive whenever an issue has arisen.

"There is much for us all to think about from what has happened today. But first and foremost let us remember David Amess MP: a dedicated public servant who has been taken from his family, friends and local community by a devastating act of violence." 

Denton and Reddish's Labour MP Andrew Gwynne said the news had left him 'utterly numb' and described Sir David as 'incredibly funny' and 'totally dedicated' to his constituents. 

He commented: "The brutal murder of yet another Member of Parliament, merely doing his job at his constituency surgery, has left me utterly numb.

"It is frankly tragic news that, having been stabbed multiple times, David has now died. The ability to see your MP face to face is a strength of our democracy. Just what have we become?

"David was a friend and irrespective of our political differences, he was always very good company, incredibly funny and totally dedicated to his Southend-on-Sea Constituency.

"My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and staff. And a reminder of the late Jo Cox, that we all have #MoreInCommon." 

Oldham East and Saddleworth's Labour MP Debbie Abrahams tweeted: "It is with great sadness that I now extend my sincere condolences to David's family and friends. He was a kind and gentle man. I will miss our chats in the Members' cloakroom, his generosity in the Chamber and his firm but fair chairing of Committees and Westminster Hall debates." 

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon described Sir David as 'one of the kindest people in Parliament'. 

He added: "I had the pleasure of serving in his committees and he always had a smile as he passed through Parliament. The senseless loss, and another MPs family and friends left devastated. My prayers are with you all." 

'He was a decent man who always did things the right way' 

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said he was 'struggling to take in what has happened'. 

"David was so kind to me when I served on the Health Select Committee with him 20 years ago as a young backbencher," Mr Burnham recalled. 

"He was a decent man who always did things the right way. Struggling to take in what has happened today. My love to his family and friends." 

Baroness Beverley Hughes, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime and Fire in Greater Manchester, tweeted: "Horrific news that Sir David Amess MP has been killed at his advice surgery. Another appalling attack on an elected representative. My thoughts are with his family." 

Councillor Doreen Dickinson, leader of the Conservative group on Tameside Council, described Sir David's death as 'sickening'. 

She said: "The majority of people going into politics are good, kind people wanting to make a difference, whatever party they belong to. My thoughts and prayers are with David’s family. RIP." 

The Tameside branch of the Labour Party has suspended campaigns for 'the foreseeable future' as a mark of respect. 

They said: "We are shocked by the murder of Sir David Amess MP whilst undertaking his constituency surgery. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends." 

Councillor Barry Lewis, Conservative leader of Derbyshire County Council, tweeted: "Absolutely awful to hear this. My condolences to his family and friends. Words fail me." 

Glossopdale councillor Damien Greenhalgh, deputy leader of High Peak Borough Council, said: "Really awful news about the death of Sir David Amess MP. Yet another attack on an elected representative serving their community. Yet another attack on our democracy." 

The Derbyshire branch of the Labour Party commented: "Saddened to hear of the tragic death of David Amess - a elected representative working hard for the community that elected him, doing his duty by holding a regular surgery. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends." 

Oldham Council leader Councillor Arooj Shah tweeted: "I honestly can’t even comprehend this news. I can’t even begin to think how his family, friends and staff must feel. How many more public servants will it take before something is done about those that move with their vile rhetoric? He was doing his job fighting for his constituents."