Sir David Anthony Andrew Amess (26 March 1952 – 15 October 2021) was a British Conservative politician who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1983 until he was killed in 2021. He was first elected to represent Basildon and then served as MP for Southend West after 1997.
His government's highest position was as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Michael Portillo for ten years.
The Conservative MP was a practicing Roman Catholic who regularly attended his local St Peter's Catholic Church.
Tributes to the politician were led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster.
Yesterday, Douglas Cracknell, chairman of Leigh-on-Sea council, said Sir David's devout faith was well-known to locals, who told The Mail on Sunday they feared it could have provided the motive for his murder.
Mr. Cracknell said: 'Everyone knew about David's Catholic faith – it was a big part of his character. He was a very generous man and was very helpful to us. This attacker may well have targeted him over his religion.'
Sir David Amess MP 1952-2021 pic.twitter.com/RwCkSkYQi3
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 15, 2021
John Moore, 45, who knew Sir David as his local MP, said: 'People here are saying it could have been linked to David's Catholicism. He was such an advocate for his religion, so a terrorist would want to take him out, wouldn't they? It's just so sad. You couldn't meet a nicer man. We all admired him so much.'
I am devastated we have lost Sir David Amess. David was not only a fellow Essex MP, but a kind and loyal friend. pic.twitter.com/cwAT3AsKZ5
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) October 15, 2021
During a homily at St Peter's Catholic Church, Father Jeff Woolnough paid his respects to his late parishioner.
He said: 'Firstly we remember David's great faith and as a Catholic his practicing sense of that faith. What that means is sharing that faith with everyone he meets, no matter who they are.
Absolutely sickened by the brutal, senseless murder of another British MP.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 15, 2021
Sir David Amess was a thoroughly decent hard-working man who dedicated his life to public service. My deepest condolences to his poor wife and five children. RIP. pic.twitter.com/iYDoh8R9Xa
'That's by being him, showing that great accessibility to all faiths when we are under attack by everyone who doesn't understand the position the Catholic Church takes in the world.
'We are particularly grateful for Sir David's stance on pro-life. David chose life, even in death, because we now know he is alive in the Spirit.'
