United Kingdom: murder of Conservative MP David Amess described as "terrorist"

Religious service in homage to David Amess, in a church, in Leigh-on-Sea, October 15, 2021. AFP - TOLGA AKMEN

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

British police have called

 the murder of the fatally stabbed Conservative MP David Amess on Friday (October 15th)

" 

".

This drama revives in the United Kingdom the question on the safety of elected officials.

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David Amess, the 69-year-old parliamentarian, member of Boris Johnson's Conservative party and ardent brexiter, was stabbed several times shortly after noon on October 15 in the Methodist church where he received his constituents.

The attack took place during the elected official's parliamentary office in Leigh-on-Sea, about 60 km east of London.

A 25-year-old man was immediately arrested on the spot on suspicion of murder.

The deputy succumbed to his injuries on the spot despite the rapid intervention of the rescue services and a knife was found, said Essex police, who are not looking for any other suspects.

" 

Islamist extremism

 "

Several British media have reported that the arrested man is believed to be a British national of Somali origin. " 

 ," the metropolitan police announced in a statement, on the night of Friday to Saturday, a few hours after the investigation was entrusted to the anti-terrorism department.

Reactions from upset elected officials immediately poured in after this attack, in a country traumatized by the assassination in the middle of the street - in 2016 - of Euro-MP Jo Cox by a neo-Nazi sympathizer, a week before the Brexit referendum.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his " 

" and " 

 " in a brief televised intervention.

It is " 

 " tweeted former Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May.

The flags were half-masted in Parliament and Downing Street.

Increase in violence against parliamentarians

Interior Minister Priti Patel " 

," her spokesperson said.

Ms Patel met with representatives of the police and security and intelligence agencies and also spoke with the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle.

Police figures show an increase in acts of delinquency against parliamentarians.

In 2019, Scotland Yard had cited an increase of 126% between 2017 and 2018 and a rise of 90% in the first four months of 2019.

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• UK

• Terrorism

• Boris Johnson

• Criminality