Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after being stabbed several times at his constituency surgery.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the attack at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

Sir David, 69, had been an MP for 38 years having first been elected to parliament in 1983.

‘One of life’s truly nice people’: Tributes pour in for MP – live updates

He had been MP for Southend West since 1997, having previously represented the Basildon constituency.

He never held a ministerial role during his long parliamentary career, although he was a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to former ministers Edwina Currie and Michael Portillo in the late 1980s.

Sir David instead focussed his efforts from the back benches of the House of Commons.

Conservative MP Sir David Amess dies after being stabbed at constituency surgery, police say

Sir David Amess live updates: Man arrested on suspicion of murder after Conservative MP stabbed to death

Brexit: Lord Frost says a ‘big gap’ remains between UK and EU over Northern Ireland Protocol

He sat on a number of Commons committees during his time in Westminster and also sponsored many parliamentary bills – many of which were focussed on his keen interest in animal welfare and his ambition to eliminate fuel poverty.

His interventions in the Commons were often notable for his long-running campaign to get Southend designated as a city.

Sir David was a supporter of Brexit ahead of the 2016 referendum. But he described the years between the vote result and the UK’s official exit from the EU as “three and a half dreadful years in parliament”.

He was raised as a Catholic and had a pro-life stance on abortion issues in the Commons.

Sir David was born in London’s East End in 1952 and both his parents came from relatively poor backgrounds.

Last year, Sir David published a book titled “Ayes & Ears: A Survivor’s Guide to Westminster”, in which he documented his long political career.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

In the book Sir David wrote how, with hindsight, his “drive and hunger to succeed were the lasting effects of those early years”.

“I was determined to achieve as much of myself as I possibly could, in spite of the fact that I came from a relatively humble background,” he added.

After passing the 11 plus exam, Sir David attended a grammar school and – at the same age – decided he wanted to be an MP and went on to form his own political party known as “The Revolutionist Party”.

In 1968, at the age of 16, Sir David joined the Conservative Party and wrote how he had “never looked back since nor regretted my decision”.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

All royalties from Sir David’s book have been split between three charities; Endometriosis UK, the Music Man Project and Prost8 UK.

In 2019, Sir David helped arrange for 200 students with learning disabilities to perform at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Music Man Project.

For those who didn’t know Sir David Amess, this will give you a measure of the man. I’d played a small part in helping him get 200 children with learning disabilities to play the ⁦@RoyalAlbertHall⁩. This is the video I filmed on the night of his thank you speech. pic.twitter.com/aF7SCiPd3k

He received his knighthood in 2015 for political and public service, an honour which he celebrated by dressing up in a suit of armour.

Sir David and his wife Julia had five children, David, Katherine, Sarah, Alexandra and Florence.

Related posts:

Hancock made several claims about COVID response that may turn out to be problematic Johnson says working with Biden is ‘breath of fresh air’ after first face-to-face talks G7 leaders’ beach BBQ ‘COVID secure’ and did stick to social distancing rules, No 10 insists What world leaders agreed – and didn’t – at the G7 summit ‘You don’t get to stoke the fire, then pretend to be disgusted’: England star hits out at Priti Patel PM sees off Tory rebellion over cut to foreign aid budget Criticism of Priti Patel over taking the knee remarks ‘unusual’ and ‘odd’, says cabinet minister Parliament staff ‘incredulous and angry’ at MPs not having to wear masks from Monday Business secretary being accused of lying on TV reveals row in Whitehall over how to deal with energy crisis What options does the government have for helping industry through energy crisis? Minister refuses to apologise for government’s pandemic handling as report says errors ‘cost thousands of lives’ Deportation flight for 37 convicted criminals leaves with just four on board