Sir David Amess death: Counter-terror police investigate killing of Conservative MP after stabbing at constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea

Counter-terror police are investigating after Conservative MP Sir David Amess died after being stabbed at a surgery in his constituency.

Sir David, who represented Southend West in Essex, was attacked shortly after midday on Friday at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.

Live updates: Man arrested on suspicion of murder after Conservative MP stabbed to death

He was found with multiple injuries and, despite the efforts of police officers and paramedics, the MP died at the scene.

A 25-year-old man was immediately arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

A knife was recovered at the scene.

Sky News understands the individual who has been arrested is a British citizen with Somali heritage.

Essex Police chief constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: "The investigation is in the very early stages and is being led by officers from the Metropolitan Police's specialist counter terror command.

"We made it clear at the time of the incident that we did not believe there was any immediate threat to anyone else in the area.

"It will be for investigators to determine whether or not this may have been a terrorist incident. As always they will keep an open mind."

Sky News understands a man walked into Sir David's constituency surgery and stabbed him multiple times, with the MP said to have suffered more than a dozen wounds.

An air ambulance was seen arriving at the scene on Friday afternoon.

Sir David, a 69-year-old father-of-five, had been MP for Southend West since 1997 and first entered parliament in 1983.

He never held a ministerial role during his long parliamentary career and instead focussed his efforts from the back benches of the House of Commons.

Flags at parliament and Downing Street have been lowered to half mast following Sir David's death.

Tributes have been paid to the long-serving MP from across the political spectrum, including from all five surviving former prime ministers; Theresa May, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major.

Some politicians even called for Southend to be given city status, which was a long-running campaign of Sir David's, in memory of the MP.

Boris Johnson described Sir David as "one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics", as the current prime minister paid tribute to his "outstanding" campaigning work on endometriosis, animal cruelty and fuel poverty.

"David was a man who believed passionately in this country and its future," Mr Johnson said. "We've lost today a fine public servant and a much-loved friend and colleague."

The prime minister's wife, Carrie Johnson, posted on Twitter: "Absolutely devastating news about Sir David Amess.

"He was hugely kind and good. An enormous animal lover and a true gent. This is so completely unjust."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described a "dark and shocking day" as he urged people to "come together in response to these horrendous events".

"The whole country will feel it acutely, perhaps the more so because we have, heartbreakingly, been here before," he said.

"We will show once more that violence, intimidation and threats to our democracy will never prevail over the tireless commitment of public servants simply doing their jobs."

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said they were "shocked and saddened" by Sir David's death, which is the second killing of an MP in their own constituency in little more than five years, following the 2016 murder of Labour's Jo Cox.

Home Secretary Priti Patel on Friday asked all police forces to immediately review security arrangements for MPs, while House of Commons Speaker Sir Linsday Hoyle has also pledged to "examine" safety measures.

He told Sky News that he had gone ahead with his own constituency surgery on Friday despite the news of Sir David's death.

"Nothing will stop democracy, nothing will stop us carrying out our duties," he said.

"Those people who don't value the job that we do, those people who don't support us will not win - hence why I've had my surgery tonight."

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said Sir David was a "great man, a great friend, and a great MP killed while fulfilling his democratic role", while Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said he was "a lovely, lovely man and a superb parliamentarian".

Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, described him as a "dedicated, thoughtful man and a true parliamentarian, who lost his life while serving the constituents who he worked relentlessly for throughout his career".

Communities Secretary Michael Gove said Sir David's death was "heart-breakingly sad" and "terrible, terrible news".

"He was a good and gentle man, he showed charity and compassion to all, his every word and act were marked by kindness," he posted on Twitter.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "The worst aspect of violence is its inhumanity. It steals joy from the world and can take from us that which we love the most.

"Today it took a father, a husband, and a respected colleague."

Lord Pickles, a former Conservative minister, told Sky News his Tory colleague was a "great family man, somebody who was very open and very good company as a fellow member of the House of Commons".

"He was enormously good company. He cared passionately about a number of issues, in particular animal welfare, and he was somebody who really knew how the system operated," he said.

"Some people choose a path of being a minister, but David knew how to operate on the floor of the House of Commons to get things done."

However, the ex-Tory chairman urged caution over new security measures in the wake of Sir David's death that would move MPs away from meeting with members of the public.

Conservative MP Tracey Crouch said she was "heartbroken" at Sir David's death.

"I could write reams on how Sir David was one of the kindest, most compassionate, well liked colleagues in Parliament. But I can't. I feel sick. I am lost," she wrote on Twitter.

"Rest in Peace. A little light went out in parliament today. We will miss you."

Brendan Cox, widower of the late Labour MP Jo Cox said Sir David's killing "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 said.

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's first minister, said: "Elected representatives from across the political spectrum will be united in sadness and shock today.

"In a democracy, politicians must be accessible and open to scrutiny, but no-one deserves to have their life taken while working for and representing their constituents."

Mark Drakeford, first minister of Wales, described Sir David's killing as a "truly despicable and horrifying act".

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats said Sir David's killing was "tragic and horrible news" and a "terrible day for British politics".

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken posted on Twitter: "The United States sends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Sir David Amess of the United Kingdom, a dedicated public servant and lawmaker.

"An attack on elected officials is an attack on democracy."