Summary

  • A memorial service for Sir David Amess has taken place at St Mary's Church, Prittlewell, Essex

  • Hundreds of people lined the streets of Southend to pay their respects as the hearse containing his casket passed by

  • A funeral mass for the late MP for Southend West will take place at the Roman Catholic Westminster Cathedral in London on Tuesday

  • Sir David, 69, was stabbed to death at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex on 15 October

Live Reporting

By Laurence Cawley & Jon Welch

  1. His constituency always came first, says Sir Lindsay Hoyle

    Simon Dedman
    BBC Essex political reporter

    Sir Lindsay HoylePA Media

    "His constituency always came first," Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, said of Sir David Amess

    Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, has told how Sir David Amess's overriding passion was always his constituency.

    Speaking to BBC Essex, Sir Lindsay said: "He wanted to represent his constituents.

    "His constituency always came first and that's why whenever it was the end of the session, who was the first to have their name in to speak about their constituency?

    "It was Sir David Amess. That's what his passion was.

    "His passion was not about high-flying and greasy pole-sliding, far from it; it was feet on the ground, representing his constituency and making sure there's a real voice for Southend West."

  2. Timings for the memorial service

    Laurence Cawley
    BBC News

    Prittlewell Church

    The memorial service will take place at St Mary's Church, Prittlewell

    The estimated timings (all GMT) for the memorial service are as follows:

    • 12:15 Church bells will toll
    • 13:00 Memorial service begins
    • 14:10 Memorial service ends
    • 14:15 Procession will begin from East Street
    • 14:20 The horse-drawn hearse will pause at the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue and pause for a minute or so to allow people to pay their respects
    • 14:35 The hearse will pause at Iveagh Hall, Leigh Road and will pause again for a minute or two before returning to the chapel of rest for the evening

    The service will mark the final day the Book of Condolence will be open for people to leave a written tribute to Sir David.

    The book is in the Jubilee Room at the Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue and will be open until 19:00.

    There will be another funeral service for Sir David on Tuesday in Westminster Cathedral.

  3. 'Sir David touched so many people's lives'

    Laurence Cawley
    BBC News

    BBC Essex presenter David Monk knew Sir David Amess for 35 years.

    He will be presenting a special programme today from midday.

    Dave Monk

    BBC Essex presenter Dave Monk had known Sir David for 35 years

    "David touched so many people's lives in so many positive ways over the years," said Mr Monk. "Today, for all of us who knew him across Essex, we just want to do right by him.

    "We want to give this remarkable man the send-off he deserves."

  4. The killing that shook Southend and beyond

    The killing of Sir David Amess shocked the country.

    But news of the MP's death was felt most keenly in his Essex constituency, where he was known to and beloved by many.

    A day after he was fatally attacked while serving the public, as he had done for almost 40 years, the BBC spoke with members of the local community as they struggled to make sense of what happened.

    Mounters gather after Sir David's deathPA Media

    People gathered on the streets of Southend to pay their respects to Sir David, who had been an MP in Essex since 1983

    Resident Audrey Martin remembered her MP as "an absolute gentleman" who "dedicated his whole life to his constituents here".

    "For many, many years he's just been a pillar of society, helping out all different people," she said.

    Constituent Lorraine Migliorini highlighted Sir David's work for children and young people with special educational needs.

    "He was genuinely interested and listened to them, which was fantastic," she said.

    "He got things done and I think all of the special needs groups around here are very very grateful for what he's done."

  5. Sir David Amess: 1952-2021

    Laurence Cawley
    BBC News

    Sir David AmessPA

    A memorial service for Sir David Amess MP will be held later in his beloved Southend

    Today, we remember the life of Sir David Amess, who served as an MP from 1983 until his death on 15 October, 2021.

    A memorial service, which will be broadcast live on BBC Essex, will be held later in his beloved Southend

    The service will take place at 13:00 GMT at St Mary’s Church, Prittlewell, led by the Reverend Paul Mackay and Monsignor Kevin William Hale. It is a family service and strictly by invitation only.

    Following the service, the casket will be carried in a horse-drawn hearse through Southend’s streets, pausing outside the Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue and Iveagh Hall, Sir David’s Southend West Conservative constituency office, in Leigh Road.

    Rev Paul Mackay

    The memorial service will be led by the Rev Paul Mackay (pictured) and Monsignor Kevin William Hale