CONCERNS OVER SAFETY OF POLITICIANS AFTER MPs MURDER

Mr Amess had represented Southend West since 1997

After the brutal killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess, on Friday afternoon at a Methodist Church in his constituency, questions are being asked about serious concerns over the safety of public officials.

The murder of the MP for Southend West is just the latest in a number of attacks upon public officials in recent years, most notably the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.

So what happens next?

Well for now the killing of Sir David Amess is still an open investigation so no further comment can be made on this story however the safety of those public officials such as MPs are at the heart of this story.

The fact is that public officials should have the ability to talk face-to-face with their constituents and listen to their everyday concerns. After all, a massive part of the job for an MP is representing those in their constituency.

Many have called for most, if not all, constituency concerns to be expressed online only and not in a face-to-face scenario to prevent this from happening again. However, this has been disputed as a damaging and damning consequence that is not necessary.

Home Secretary, Priti Patel is working with the speaker of the Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, to put further measures in place to protect politicians in their daily lives. This comes as all UK police forces have been asked to review security arrangements with immediate effect.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will lead MPs to pay their respects to Sir David at 3.30pm this afternoon. This will follow prayers and a minute’s silence in Parliament. The Archbishop of Canterbury will then hold a service in St Margaret’s Church afterwards.

The investigation into Sir David’s murder is ongoing with a suspect currently in custody on suspicion of murder. More details on this horrific and senseless killing will be confirmed in due course, for now, our prayers and thoughts will be with Sir David’s family, colleagues and constituents during this difficult period.

RIP Sir David Amess

1952-2021