Oldham MPs react to the fatal stabbing of Sir David Amess MP.

MPs in Oldham have been reacting to the news of the fatal stabbing of Tory MP Sir David Amess, which happened on Friday October 15, as Boris Johnson leads a minute's silence in the House of Commons. 

Sir David Amess was stabbed to death on Friday October 15, while giving a constituency surgery, at Belfairs Methodist Church, in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Police have arrested a 25 year old man, on suspicion of murder and terrorism related charges, in connection with Sir David's death. 

A special House of Commons session started with a minute’s silence dedicated to “remember and respect” the life of Sir David, this afternoon, Monday October 18. 

Boris Johnson will then lead tributes to Sir David in the Chamber, in a two-hour sitting expected to begin at around 3.30pm. MPs will also attend a service in St Margaret’s Church in Westminster Abbey.

Julia Amess, Sir David’s widow, was today pictured visiting her late husband’s murder scene and reading messages on dozens of floral tributes.

Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “David was such a kind and gentle man and my thoughts are now with his family who must be devastated.

“Now is the time for a period of reflection for all of us.

“As MPs we all want to meet our constituents face to face but there’s no denying that we are all feeling more vulnerable now, as are our staff, following David’s murder, and that of our colleague, and friend, Jo Cox. 

"Like MPs across the country I am engaging with our local police as well as the parliamentary security department on appropriate security measures.

“The reason I helped set up the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Compassionate Politics, and became it’s co-chair, is because I believe that we have become a fractured, divided society in recent years, and we need to urgently re-assess the tone of our public and political discourse.

“One thing is for sure, there are no simple answers to the situation we find ourselves in, but we must all play our part in de-escalating the atmosphere of intolerance and abuse that is having such a damaging effect on our society.”

Jim McMahon MP for Oldham West and Royton said, “Today Parliament will come together to remember Sir David Amess, the conversations about the threats that Members of Parliament face and striking the balance between being accessible and secure will no doubt come in the days to follow.”

“But it’s absolutely crucial to remember that the first job of any Member of Parliament is to represent your constituents and I take personal pride in the individual casework support my office gives, key to doing that is by listening to constituents and engaging with them on the issues that really matter to them.”

Angela Rayner MP, was contacted for a comment, but she is away on leave after a bereavement. 

 

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