David Amess: investigation into fatal stabbing of Conservative MP to be led by counter-terrorism officers – latest

Ed Holmes, a senior speechwriter at the Department for International Trade, used to work with Sir David in his first job after university.

Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said officers are continuing to “keep an open mind” about the motive of the suspect.

They do not believe anybody else was involved in the attack.

Essex Police has said the investigation into Sir David Amess’s death is being led by counter terrorism officers.

The force added the man arrested remains in police custody.

Father Jefffrey Woolnough also told the service the area could “count on” Sir David.

He said: “We thank God for his life and that great gift that he was able to share himself with the people of Southend and to bring his ideas to the table.

“He was always available. He showed me a great deal of respect and love.”

The church fell silent as Sir David was remembered by his constituents.

The priest said: “We don’t have the words tonight. Dear Sir David, rest well.”

Around 80 people have attended the service in memory of Sir David, PA reports.

Father Jeffrey Woolnough told the service: “Have you ever known Sir David Amess without that happy smile on his face? Because the greeting he would always give you was always that happy smile.

“He carried with him that great east London spirit of having no fear and being able to talk to people and the level they’re at. Not all politicians I would say are good at that.

“He invited myself to a wonderful evening at the House of Commons to have a look around it in the evening, to go into the gallery and listen to a debate, and we went to a Mass and we were allowed a few minutes in the gallery.

“There was still enough MPs to make a noise and we had a little lad with us – this must have been four or five years ago – who said to us ‘Father Jeff, why do Members of Parliament shout at each other and why are they so rude?’

“Perhaps he could be the next prime minister. We need someone across all parties who could listen, and David was that man.”

Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, the constituency held by her sister Jo Cox until she was murdered during the EU referendum campaign in June 2016, has described how her partner has asked her to “not do it any more” amid rising security fears.

“This is the risk we are all taking,” she said in a TV interview broadcast on BBC News.

“So many MPs today will be scared by this. My partner came home and said, ‘I don’t want you to do it any more, because the next time that phone goes it could be a different conversation.’”

Leadbeater, who became an MP in July, said: “I’m totally shocked by what has happened, to think that something so horrific could happen again to another MP, to another family.” She said she was frightened and it was horrific for another family to go through the shock and the feelings that her family endured when her sister was killed on her way to a routine constituency surgery by the far-right extremist Thomas Mair.

“The main people I’m thinking about are [David Amess’s] family and friends and the community that he represented for such a long time,” she said. “That’s the thing people need to understand. This is about a lot of people whose lives will have been changed forever today. People still come up to me and talk to me about where they were when Jo was killed.

“It’s so hard because we’ve got a job to do and I find myself now working as a politician trying to help people and do good things for people and it’s really important that we get good people in public life.”

Sir David Amess was patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation.

Chris and Lorraine Platt, its co-founders, have paid this tribute:

“The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation is heartbroken and deeply saddened by our patron Sir David Amess MP passing away. Sir David has been a close, dear friend for many years. We will remember him as one of the kindest, gentlest of family men; never ceasing to show compassion to anyone he met. We echo the beautiful tributes which have been shared in these dark hours following his death.

“As we struggle to make sense of today’s tragic events, we remember Sir David’s long and distinguished career. Having first been elected in 1983, he was a first-class local MP and campaigner. A strong animal welfare champion, he stood up time and time again for those who have no voice. We feel incredibly thankful for the years he spent as our patron.

“Sir David was a champion for his constituents and his country, and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children at this devastating time. We will all miss him terribly.”

The flags were earlier lowered at Westminster in tribute to Sir David Amess.

The Speaker of the Welsh parliament, Elin Jones, said she was “deeply shocked and saddened”, adding: “Our democratic process depends on our elected members being able to listen and talk to the public we serve. It should go without saying that every elected member should be able to carry out this work safely and without fear.

“As members we may have different views, but we are always united in our respect for the democratic process and our commitment to serving the public. My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.”