Boris Johnson has said MP Sir David Amess will be “much, much missed” as he paid tribute to the MP ahead of a funeral service in Southend.

The father-of-five who was stabbed to death while holding a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea on 15 October.

Mourners will pay their respects at the service and procession in his Southend West constituency on Monday, ahead of a service at Westminster Cathedral the following day.

The prime minister told Sky News the Southend service is “a chance for everybody who knew and loved David to reflect on his amazing contribution to politics, to the people of Essex, to Southend”.

Mr Johnson also said: “He was a guy who campaigned about things he really cared for whether it was animal welfare, people who suffered from endometriosis, which he brought to widespread public attention, or campaigning against fuel poverty.

“He showed what you can achieve as an MP to change lives of people up and down the country and he will be much much missed.”

The prime minister also paid tribute to Sir David’s “posthumously successful” campaign for Southend achieved city status.

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Following the 1pm service, a horse-drawn hearse will carry the casket on a procession through Southend.

It is due to pause outside Southend’s Civic Centre and again outside Sir David’s constituency office, Iveagh Hall, before returning to the chapel of rest.

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Ian Gilbert, leader of Southend Council, said Monday would be an “incredibly emotional day”.

He said that Sir David’s family “understand there are many others in the city who knew and loved him”, and have agreed for the service to be broadcast on local radio station BBC Essex.

Monday’s funeral service, led by Reverend Paul Mackay and Rev Monsignor Kevin William Hale, is strictly by invitation only.

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