- Sir David Amess was stabbed on Friday. He has since died at the scene.
- He was meeting constituents in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, when the attack happened.
Sir David Amess, a British Conservative lawmaker, has died after being stabbed multiple times while meeting with constituents on Friday.
-Essex Police (@EssexPoliceUK) October 15, 2021
Amess, 69, was attacked at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where the MP was holding a constituency surgery, Sky News reported. The Essex Police said it took place shortly after 12 p.m.
"He was stabbed several times," Local councillor John Lamb told Reuters.
A medical helicopter arrived at the scene following the attack. Police said a man - identified by reports as Amess - was treated by emergency services but died at the scene.
The Essex Police said a 25-year-old man was arrested following the attack. "We're not looking for anyone else," the force tweeted. The man is currently in custody.
Insider has contacted Amess' office in Westminster for comment.
UK leaders denounced the attack
Politicians from across the spectrum decried the violence - the fourth such attack against a British politician since 2000.
"I am so deeply, deeply saddened by the tragic news that Sir David has passed away." Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted.
Former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron shared: "This is the most devastating, horrific & tragic news. David Amess was a kind & thoroughly decent man - & he was the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet. Words cannot adequately express the horror of what has happened today. Right now, my heart goes out to David's family."
Brendan Cox, whose wife Jo Cox was murdered by a far-right extremist while meeting with constituents in 2016, also condemned the attack.
"This brings everything back. The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us following the loss of Jo. I hope we can do the same for David now," he tweeted.
-Brendan Cox (@MrBrendanCox) October 15, 2021
Amess had been an MP since 1983, representing Southend West in Essex for the Conservative Party since 1997. He has never held ministerial office.
His website describes his main interests as "animal welfare and pro-life issues." He was made a knight in 2015 for services to public and political life.
In 2021, Amess wrote in a memoir of how he received a death threat from the IRA, and the warnings given by the police to MPs about the dangers of constituency surgeries.
"Now advice has been given to be more careful when accepting appointments," he wrote. "We are advised to never see people alone, we must be extra careful when opening post and we must ensure that our offices are properly safe and secure."
"In short, these increasing attacks have rather spoilt the great British tradition of the people openly meeting their elected politicians."