Sir David Amess murder: Daughter files legal claim over death

Southend West MP Sir David Amess was stabbed during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in October 2021

The daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess is taking legal action against police and the Home Office for failing to prevent his death.

High Court papers show Katherine Amess has filed a personal injury claim against the authorities.

The Conservative MP, 69, died after being stabbed 21 times by terrorist Ali Harbi Ali at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea on 15 October 2021.

Essex Police and the Home Office said they were aware of the court action.

Ms Amess' solicitor said she was "horrified" by her father's murder and wanted lessons to be learned from it.

Sir David was pronounced dead at the scene after the attack at Belfairs Church in Leigh-on-Sea

Ali, who murdered Sir David in retaliation against politicians who voted to bomb Syria, was sentenced in 2022 to a whole-life prison term for the murder.

The Old Bailey was told Ali had been known to authorities and was referred to the government's Prevent programme, but continued plotting in secret.

Ali, 28, was found guilty of murder and preparing acts of terrorism.

• Amess killer given whole-life jail sentence

• How MP's killer was a textbook radicalisation

• Sir David Amess: Life in pictures

Now Sir David's daughter Katie has filed a High Court claim against Essex Police and the Home Office.

Daniel Machover, head of civil litigation at Hickman and Rose solicitors, which is representing Ms Amess, said: "Like so many others, Katie Amess was horrified both by the fact of her father's murder, and the circumstances surrounding it.

"She has issued a claim at court as part of her desire to ensure proper accountability and learning from Sir David's murder, including for the future benefit of others."

Sir David Amess served as MP for Southend West from 1997 until his murder in 2021

A Home Office spokesman said it would not comment on the case while legal proceedings were ongoing.

"The government takes the safety of Members of Parliament extremely seriously, and significant work has been taken forward in response to the tragic killing of Sir David Amess," he added.

'Thoroughly committed'

An Essex Police spokesman said the force was aware a protective claim form had been filed at court, "however as these papers have not been served on our force, we are unable to comment any further upon them".

Court records showed the force's Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington was named as a defendant.

"We remain committed to supporting our elected members across the county in the execution of their public duty and to this end we regularly review and advise around security arrangements for our Members of Parliament," the police spokesman said.

He added: "Sir David Amess was a thoroughly committed public servant who worked tirelessly for his community."