WE WON'T LET TERROR WIN

Defiant MPs back at work as Priti Patel vows: ‘We cannot be cowed’. Suspect in Sir David’s murder was ‘flagged for deradicalisation’

- David Maddox

MPs will continue meeting the public, as the Home Secretary insisted democracy “will not be cowed” by the murder of Sir David Amess.

Sir David, 69, was killed at a church surgery on Friday. It was reported that the suspect's name is Ali Harbi Ali, 25.

He is said to have been involved in a deradicalisation programme called Prevent – and although security services are adamant he was not known to them, the atrocity is being treated as terrorism. Police are probing if Sir David was targeted because of his Catholicism.

Priti Patel visited the scene at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, yesterday alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to pay their respects to Sir David.

The show of party unity came as constituents recalled the work the “absolutely wonderful” MP did in his community during his almost 40-year career and vigils were held in his memory.

Moira and Pat, cousins of Sir David, wrote: “Thinking of your lovely family. Can’t believe this has actually happened. Will always love you.”

Samantha Macdonald, 44, tearfully recalled meeting Sir David when he came to her school when she was 12.

She said: “He was always so involved with the community, so accessible as well. He knew every head teacher’s name of every school in his constituency. My daughter loved him.”

Last night about 300 people gathered near the crime scene for a candle-lit vigil.

After a one-minute silence, residents and councilors spoke of their experiences with the MP.