A man has been charged with the murder of Sir David Amess MP.
Sir David, a Conservative MP since 1983, suffered multiple stab wounds and died at the scene on Friday 15th October.
Ali Harbi Ali, 25 (01.02.96) of north London, was charged on Thursday, 21st October with murder (contrary to common law), and preparation of terrorist acts (contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006).
The charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division (SCCTD).
Matt Jukes, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations, said: “I want to send my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Sir David Amess, who died so tragically last Friday.
“Sir David’s dedication to his family, his constituents and his community, and his positive impact on the lives of so many has shone through.
“Today’s charge is a significant milestone in the case, but the work from my colleagues in the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command will continue apace.
“There has been considerable speculation in the media about the background, history and motivation of the man now charged.
“I understand the huge level of public interest in this case, but now a charge has been brought, it is vitally important that everyone exercises restraint when commenting on it publicly, to ensure future court proceedings are not prejudiced in any way.”
Sir Amess, 69, was the MP for Southend West and was a prodigious campaigner for children with learning disabilities and for women with endometriosis, a condition in which he became an expert after meeting a woman at one of the constituency surgeries.
He died in the church where the surgery was being held after being attacked by a man who police said they believed was acting alone.
