The Chair and Deputy Leader of Harlow Council visited Leigh-on-Sea yesterday to pay the council’s respects to popular Essex MP Sir David Amess who died last week.
The long-serving Conservative MP was stabbed multiple times during a meeting with his constituents in Essex on Friday, October 15.
Ali Harbi Ali, a 25-year-old British citizen, was arrested at the scene and is being held under terrorism legislation.
Detectives have until Friday, October 22 to question him in custody after they were granted a warrant of further detention.
The father-of-five’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief in Essex- where he had been an MP for nearly 40 years, and across the country.
On behalf of Harlow Council, Councillor Clive Souter and Councillor Joel Charles laid a wreath alongside flower tributes, which have been left outside Sir David’s constituency office on Leigh Road in Leigh-on-Sea.
They then left a message in a book of condolence that has been opened for members of the public to pay tribute after the tragic loss of Sir David last week.
The message on the wreath and in the book reads: “Thank you, Sir David, for championing Essex in Parliament. You will always be remembered as a kind and committed public servant.
“Harlow Council offers its support to Southend residents and stands united with all Essex councils in defending the principles of democracy that you embodied throughout your parliamentary career.
“Your legacy is secured with the city status announcement.”
The flags remain at half-mast outside the Harlow Civic Centre as a mark of respect.
Harlow councillors will be holding a minute’s silence in Sir David’s memory at the next Full Council meeting on 28 October.
Councillor Clive Souter, Chair of Harlow Council, said: “Given the outpouring of public grief since last Friday and the impact that this terrible incident has had on all politicians, it was appropriate and fitting to visit Leigh-on-Sea to pay the council and town’s respects to Sir David.
“It was also an opportunity to offer support to the residents of Southend and to Sir David’s colleagues and friends, who are still in shock, to say that we stand united with them.”
READ MORE: MP speaks on ‘unforgivable’ murder of MP Sir David Amess
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