ANTI-TERROR police have taken over the investigation into today’s tragic murder of MP David Amess.
The 69-year-old Conservative MP suffered multiple injuries in the attack whilst holding a surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.
Essex Police said a 25-year-old man from Somalia had been arrested on suspicion of murder, and that counter-terror detectives are currently investigating his motivations.
The arrested man’s home has already been raided, with his records, phone calls, and internet history being sifted through by police and agents.
Essex Police chief constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “The investigation is in the very early stages and is being led by officers from the Metropolitan Police’s specialist Counter Terrorism Command.
“We made it clear at the time of the incident that we did not believe there was any immediate threat to anyone else in the area.
“It will be for investigators to determine whether or not this may have been a terrorist incident. As always they will keep an open mind.”
Meanwhile, as condolences pour in from across the country, Brendan Cox, widower of the late Jo Cox who tragically met a similar fate in 2016, said: “My thoughts and love are with David’s family. They are all that matter now. This brings everything back.
“The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us following the loss of Jo. I hope we can do the same for David now.”
Mr Cox said attacking MPs was an “attack on democracy itself”, adding: “There is no excuse, no justification. It is as cowardly as it gets.”
Sir David is survived by his wife and five children.
