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Llywydd orders Senedd flags lowered to half mast after Sir David Amess MP death

15 Oct 2021 4 minute read
Senedd picture by (CC BY-SA 2.0). Sir David Amess. UK Parliament (CC 3.0).

 

The Llywydd has requested that all flags on the Senedd estate be lowered to half-mast following the death of Sir David Amess MP.

David Amess died after being stabbed at his constituency surgery in Essex. Police said a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after the attack at a church in Leigh-on-Sea.

In a statement, Llywydd Elin Jones said that she was “deeply shocked and saddened by the death of Sir David Amess”.

“Our democratic process depends on our elected members being able to listen and talk to the public we serve,” she said.

“It should go without saying that every elected member should be able to carry out this work safely and without fear.

“As Members, we may have different views, but we are always united in our respect for the democratic process and our commitment to serving the public. My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.”

Sir David, who was first elected to parliament in 1983, leaves a wife and five children.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was “deeply saddened to hear about the death of Sir David Amess. A truly despicable and horrifying act”.

“My thoughts are with his friends, family, and constituency staff during this distressing time,” he said.

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said: “Shocked and deeply saddened to hear this terrible news. Sir David was one of the kindest, most decent and deeply committed politicians I’ve ever known. It was an honour to call him a friend. My thoughts are with his loved ones during this awful time.”

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said: “Shocked, appalled and devastated to hear Sir David Amess MP has passed away. He served with pride as MP for almost four decades, representing his constituents and our country with loyalty and dedication. My thoughts are with his family at this tragic time. May he rest in peace.”

‘Public servant’

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “All our hearts are full of shock and sadness today to the loss of Sir David Amess MP, who was killed in his constituency surgery, in a church, after almost 40 years of continuous service to the people of Essex and the whole of the United Kingdom.

“I think the reason people are so shocked and saddened is above all he was one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics.

“He also had an outstanding record of passing laws to help the most vulnerable, whether they were people who were suffering from endometriosis, passing laws to end cruelty to animals, or doing a huge amount to reduce the fuel poverty suffered by people up and down the country.

“David was a man who believed passionately in this country and in its future. We’ve lost today a fine public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague, and our thoughts are very much today with his wife, his children and his family.”

Essex Police detectives have asked members of the public to contact them with any information or footage from around the time of the stabbing death of Sir David Amess.

In a statement, the force said: “We are continuing to appeal for anyone who saw anything or has CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage to come forward.

“We want to say thank you to the members of the public who alerted so quickly.

“If you have any information you can submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the ‘live chat’ button to speak to an online operator between 7am and 11pm.

“Please quote incident 445 of 15 October.

“You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

 


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Ed Jones
Ed Jones
3 years ago

Shocking news. Being killed whilst performing his duties as an MP is truly awful. Thoughts are with his family/friends.

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
3 years ago

As much as I dislike the Conservatives with a passion was horrified to hear of MP David Amess murder.

He awoke today. Went to work as normal. But will never return home. I am truly sorry for his wife & young children.

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