Sir David Amess had been the Conservative MP for Southend West MP since 1997, and only yesterday he spoke to the local radio station, BBC Essex, about getting city status for Southend.

In December 2019, he secured a debate in the House of Commons specifically on the campaign and told MPs: "I am not messing around.

"We have got it from the prime minister that Southend is going to become a city - and it will become a city."

Former members of Sir David's staff have sent out a tribute to the MP on Twitter.

Signed by Aga Bulinska, Phil Campbell and Liam Walpole, the three condemn what they call "the most horrific and shameful attack", and praise Sir David as someone who "gave his life to serving his constituents".

The three say they were privileged to work with him and "will never forget his kindness, dedication and above all his extraordinary sense of humour."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and parliamentary team at this awful time," they conclude.

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A police cordon remains outside Belfairs Methodist Church, where Sir David Amess was stabbed to death earlier today.

People have begun to lay flowers outside in tribute to the MP.

Among the tributes is one from the Belfairs Residents' Association. "Sir David," it reads. "Such a kind and thoughtful MP to us all."

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Brendan Cox, whose wife Jo Cox MP was murdered in 2016, says on Twitter Sir David's family "are all that matter now".

The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was shot and stabbed in her constituency by a far-right extremist on 16 June 2016.

Cox says: "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."

Cabinet ministers have been paying tribute to Sir David Amess:

• Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab calls Sir David "a great common sense politician and a formidable campaigner with a big heart, and tremendous generosity of spirit - including towards those he disagreed with".
• Health Secretary Sajid Javid describes him as "a great man, a great friend, and a great MP".
• Foreign Secretary Liz Truss says he was "a lovely, lovely man and a superb parliamentarian".
• Communities Secretary Michael Gove calls him "a good and gentle man, he showed charity and compassion to all, his every word and act were marked by kindness".
• The secretary of state for transport, Grant Shapps, describes Sir David as "a dedicated, thoughtful man and a true parliamentarian, who lost his life while serving the constituents who he worked relentlessly for throughout his career".

Helen Catt
Political correspondent

Political differences have been set aside; MPs are united in expressing their shock, sadness and affection for a colleague and a friend.

Many of them will themselves have spent the day in church halls, supermarkets and high streets doing just what Sir David Amess had been: meeting their constituents face-to-face.

When you talk to MPs, they'll often tell you that it's a fundamental part of the job and one they really value.

The death of Sir David Amess is both a personal tragedy and a terrible reminder of the very real risks they all face.

Former UK Prime Minister Theresa May has described Sir David Amess's death as a "tragic day for our democracy".

Sir David, a 69-year-old father-of-five, was a Conservative backbencher for nearly 40 years, having entered Parliament in 1983 as the MP for Basildon, before becoming the MP for Southend West in 1997.

Former PM David Cameron, meanwhile, describes the news as "devastating, horrific and tragic".

And in a separate statement, former PM John Major added: "This is truly heartbreaking news of a good and decent man who - for over 30 years - was a dedicated public servant.

"My heart goes out to his family."

Father Jeffrey Woolnough, parish priest of the local St Peter's Catholic church, describes Sir David, who was a Roman Catholic, as a "true friend to everyone".

He says he was a "wonderful, wonderful man" - "an eastender, you know? Like me."

He says he will hold mass this evening to pay tribute to the MP, who was a "marvellous support" and friend to him - even inviting him to say mass in the House of Commons chapel.

"All of the Christian community and others that know him from all different faiths will all be saying the same thing - what on Earth has happened? Why has this happened?" he tells the BBC.

"I'm shaking talking to you at the moment because I can't even begin to understand why this has happened."

Father Woolnough adds: "What he's brought to his area is a friendship to everyone who wants his ear and he's died doing that, that's the remarkable thing. He's died serving the people."

MPs' security was a big political issue even before the killing of Labour's Jo Cox in 2016. Following that attack, all MPs were offered panic buttons, extra lighting, additional locks and emergency fobs at their homes and constituency offices.

Prior to that, those wanting enhanced security arrangements had to ask police to carry out a risk assessment and produce written estimates before any work could be carried out.

Official data shows the amount spent on such measures, external rose from £171,000 in 2015/16 to £4.2m in 2017/18.

Parliament also offers MPs and their staff guidance on security, including tips on how to run a safe constituency surgery, suspicious post and risks at home.

A Parliamentary report published earlier this year called for "clear central guidance", external for police forces on how to deal with the harassment of MPs - and for a greater recognition of the "threat to our democracy posed by" offences committed against them.

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House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle pays tribute to Sir David Amess, calling him "a lovely man, devoted to his family, to Parliament and his Southend West constituency".

"He was well liked by Members and the staff alike, and during his almost four decades here, built a reputation for kindness and generosity," he adds.

Sir Lindsay says that, over the coming days, "we will need to discuss and examine MPs’ security and any measures to be taken".

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has now arrived back in London from Bristol, where he was holding a cabinet meeting.

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As we have been reporting, MP Sir David Amess has died after being stabbed earlier today.

A Conservative backbencher for nearly 40 years, the 69-year-old father of five entered Parliament in 1983 as the MP for Basildon.

He achieved totemic status within the Tory party for holding the constituency - which had been a classic swing seat - in 1992, but switched to nearby Southend West at the 1997 election.

He did not serve as a minister or hold as positions as a Conservative spokesman, but was instead known for his campaigning from the backbenches.

He was knighted in the 2015 New Year's Honours List for political and public service.

You can read our full obituary for Sir David here.

Leigh Milner
BBC Look East

Armed officers are guarding Belfairs Methodist Church, which is in a quiet residential street in this picturesque seaside town.

Dozens of people have come out of their homes to see what is going on.

Among them stand reporters, photographers and camera operators.

Ambulances and police cars line the street and a police cordon surrounds the building.

There is a palpable sense of shock and disbelief at what has happened here - not only to their MP, but in their church.

One resident, in tears, described him as a friend.

Peter Saull
BBC Political Reporter

The flags are flying at half mast over Downing Street.

The cabinet met earlier on this afternoon in Bristol - the second time they've met outside of the capital.

The cabinet ministers are making their way back to London now, including the prime minister.

Conservative councillor John Lamb, who represents West Leigh ward, tells the BBC he is "very shocked and very down, because David was very hard-working".

He says Sir David used to hold his surgery in one place, but decided he wanted to hold them "in different locations so he could meet the people".

He used to stop and have a cup of tea with an elderly lady in the local area before holding his surgeries, Lamb adds, gesturing down the road.

"We've lost a very good, hard-working constituency MP who worked for everyone.

"It didn't matter who you were... if you had a problem, he would work for you."

As we've been reporting, Sir David Amess has died following an attack earlier today.

Here's what we know.

What happened? While holding a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Sir David was stabbed. An air ambulance arrived at the scene and Sir David was treated by emergency services workers, but sadly died.

Has anyone been arrested? Police were called to the scene shortly after 12.05 BST, where they arrested a 25-year-old man. Police are not currently looking for any other suspects. That man is currently in police custody and has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

What else have police said? Officers thanked the public who alerted them to the incident and are calling for anyone who might have CCTV of the local area to come forward.

What has the reaction been? Brendan Cox, whose wife MP Jo Cox was murdered by a constituent in 2016, said today's killing "brought everything back". Numerous MPs have paid tribute to Sir David.

Carrie Johnson, the prime minister's wife, has been giving her thoughts on the death of Sir David.

She tweets: "Absolutely devastating news about Sir David Amess.

"He was hugely kind and good. An enormous animal lover and a true gent. This is so completely unjust. Thoughts are with his wife and their children."

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Tributes are pouring in after the tragic news that Sir David Amess has died after a stabbing attack.

He's being lauded for being a hugely dedicated MP over many years.

A Conservative backbencher for nearly 40 years, the 69-year-old father of five entered Parliament in 1983 as the MP for Basildon.

He achieved totemic status within the Tory party for holding the seat in 1992, but switched to nearby Southend West at the 1997 election.

Raised as a Roman Catholic, he was known politically as a social conservative and as a prominent campaigner against abortion and on animal welfare issues.

He was also known for his championing of Southend, including a long-running campaign to win city status for the Essex town.

Conservative MP Sir David Amess was holding a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church on Eastwood Road North in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex when the attack happened.

Police have thanked the public "who alerted us to the incident so quickly".