David Amess murder: Family of British MP call for end to hatred

The family of British lawmaker Sir David Amess have urged people to “set aside hatred and work towards togetherness.” Amess was stabbed several times during a regular meeting with his constituents at a church in Leigh-on-Sea, a town 40 miles (62 kilometers) east of London on Friday.

The 69-year-old was married with four daughters and a son.

A 25-year-old British citizen with Somali heritage, identified by media as Ali Harbi Ali, has been arrested and is being held at a London police station. Ali was referred to a government program aimed at de-radicalization some years ago, according to British media.

British MP David Amess’ murder declared as a terrorist incident by police

The family said the “wonderful” tributes paid to Amess had provided them strength and people should support campaigns close to the Conservative MP’s heart.

“We have realised from tributes paid that there was far, far more to David than even we, those closest to him, knew,” they added.

“We are enormously proud of him. Our hearts are shattered.”

The killing of Amess has prompted a review of politicians’ security, five years after the murder of Jo Cox, a lawmaker from the opposition Labour Party, by a far-right extremist in her constituency in West Yorkshire.

The family appealed people to “please let some good come from this tragedy.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel said Amess “touched so many lives” with his “infectious personality.”

Over the weekend, people gathered for candlelit vigils and attended a church service to share their memories of him.

On Monday afternoon, MPs will pay tributes in the House of Commons ahead of a church service in his memory at Westminster Abbey.

Amess joined the parliament in1983 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.