© Press Association
Leigh-on-Sea incident
LONDON (AP) — British Conservative lawmaker David Amess was stabbed to death on Friday during a routine meeting with constituents at a church in eastern England, an attack that united the U.K.’s fractious politicians in shock and sorrow. A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene.
The Essex Police force said officers were called to reports of a stabbing in the seaside town of Leigh-on-Sea just after noon Friday. It said “a man was arrested and a knife recovered.
“We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the wider public,” police said.
A motive wasn’t given and the suspect wasn’t identified. More than two hours after the attack, the force said the man injured in the stabbing had died. It didn’t release his name. The suspect is being being held on suspicion of murder, police said.
Sky News and others said Amess was attacked during a regular meeting with constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church in a residential area of Leigh-on-Sea, about 40 miles (62 kilometers) east of London.
Aerial footage showed several ambulances and an air ambulance waiting nearby to the church, where paramedics worked to save Amess’ life.
John Lamb, a local councilor, said Amess hadn’t been taken to a hospital more than two hours after the attack and the situation was “extremely serious.” His death was announced soon after.
Amess, 69, had been a member of Parliament for Southend West, which includes Leigh-on-Sea, since 1997, but has been a lawmaker since 1983. He was a well-liked member of Parliament, best known for his ceaseless campaign to have Southend declared a city.
