Tributes have been paid to Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who tragically passed away after being stabbed at his constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi hailed Sir David a “champion for animal welfare, the less fortunate and the people of Southend West” who would be “missed by many”.
Fellow Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale said that Sir David was a “dear friend” and “great colleague” who shall be missed, during an emotional interview on TalkRadio.
Carrie Johnson, wife of prime minister, Boris Johnson, described Sir David as “courteous and hardworking”, as well as “hugely kind and good, an enormous animal lover and a true gentleman.”
Sir David passed away at the age of 69 and is remembered by his wife and five children.
A Tory backbench MP for almost 40 years, Sir David first entered Parliament as the MP for the Essex constituency of Basildon in 1983.
He went on to achieve notoriety within the party for holding the seat in the 1992 general election, before switching to represent the constituency of Southend West from the 1997 general election onwards.
He represented Southend West with great vigour, championing the town and running a long campaign to win city status for the area.
Sir David was raised in a Roman Catholic family and was politically known as a social conservative. He was a prominent campaigner against abortion and passionately lobbied on animal rights issues.
Police have arrested one man on suspicion of murder in the wake of the attack.
Photo sourced from Wikimedia Commons
