Everyone in public life and all residents of South East Essex will be in a state of shock today on hearing the tragic news that Southend West MP Sir David Amess has been brutally stabbed to death while serving his constituents. We understand the incident happened at 12:10 PM today Friday 15th October at his MP surgery in Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea. David was rushed to hospital by air ambulance but could not be saved.
David Amess had been MP for Southend West since 1997 and before that had served as MP for Basildon. He had a high public profile and had recently been campaigning for City Status to be awarded to Southend.
It is difficult to comprehend how this tragedy could take place, in the leafy suburbs of Leigh on Sea, to a well loved public figure. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this sad time.
We don’t know why someone would ever do such a terrible thing. But Jo Cox’s words come to mind “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us”. People from all political viewpoints condemn and are appalled by this senseless barbaric act.