jest, it's upsetting mainly. this happening here as well, it's quite a nice area, is a quiet area, it's not something you would hear or see every day. it's so sad. we bring you continuing coverage of the death of an mp. the conservative mp sir david amess has been killed in a knife attack in essex. the mp for southend west was attacked while he was holding a constituency surgery at belfairs methodist church in leigh—on—sea. reports say he was stabbed multiple times. a 25—year—old man's been arrested and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack. tributes have been pouring in to sir david amess, with mps united in shock and sadness. let's ta ke let's take a look at some of the many, many tributes. we've also had reaction from across the political divide. the labour leader keir starmer called the news "horrific and deeply shocking". meanwhile, the welsh first minister mark drakeford called the attack a "truly despicable and horrifying act". and former prime minister tony blair said he was "shocked and horrified" by the news. flags outside parliament have been lowered to half mast. sir david, who was 69, had been mp for southend west since 1997. he was married and had five children. let's speak to the former conservative mp, anne widdecombe. your thoughts about sir david, the man on the family man. i am your thoughts about sir david, the man on the family man. i am very, very shocked _ man on the family man. i am very, very shocked by — man on the family man. i am very, very shocked by what _ man on the family man. i am very, very shocked by what has - man on the family man. i am very, i very shocked by what has happened. he was a close, personal friend. very shocked by what has happened. he was a close, personalfriend. i was godmother to one of his children. he was a tremendous colleague at the commons. he was devoted to that constituency and he was always full of enthusiasm for things that are going on in southland, full of enthusiasm for parliament. it's a horrible shock. five years ago we were discussing the murder of an mp, labour mp, people inevitably reflecting on the murder ofjo cox today saying, how can this happen again? we don't know the precise circumstances here but this was a man doing what he is elected to do, carrying out a constituency surgery. your thoughts about that as a former mp? it constituency surgery. your thoughts about that as a former mp? it would have been the _ about that as a former mp? it would have been the last _ about that as a former mp? it would have been the last thing _ about that as a former mp? it would have been the last thing anybody . have been the last thing anybody expected to happen. there has been a previous incident before in that case a liberal mp of assembly being attacked in a surgery. but it is pretty low. ? mike rare. i used to do surgeries every fortnight and i would never have expected anything like that to happen. it is shocking because it is, thank heavens, so unusual. , ,, ., ~ ., unusual. did sir david ever talk to ou about unusual. did sir david ever talk to you about any _ unusual. did sir david ever talk to you about any concerns _ unusual. did sir david ever talk to you about any concerns in - unusual. did sir david ever talk to you about any concerns in that. you about any concerns in that regard? you about any concerns in that reaard? ., , ., regard? no, absolutely not. he was alwa s full regard? no, absolutely not. he was always full of _ regard? no, absolutely not. he was always full of enthusiasm _ regard? no, absolutely not. he was always full of enthusiasm and - always full of enthusiasm and looking forward to the next thing that was going on. he certainly never expressed any fears of that sort. i don't know what is going to be found but i suspect this is very, very much a one—off and it is just horrible, it is utterly horrible. can i ask you as well about his faith. several people have reflected that his catholic faith was very important to him, a big part of his life and i wonder whether that was something inevitably the two have you discussed? we something inevitably the two have you discussed?— you discussed? we discussed it a ureat you discussed? we discussed it a great deal- _ you discussed? we discussed it a great deal. david _ you discussed? we discussed it a great deal. david was _ you discussed? we discussed it a great deal. david was involved i you discussed? we discussed it a great deal. david was involved atj great deal. david was involved at the time when i was crossing from being an anglican to being a catholic. we were united in many of the great moral campaigns in parliament, the pro—life campaign for example, in the late 80s and early 90s. david's faith meant a huge amount to him. his friends will be praying very, very hard for his cell and for his family tonight. hit our cell and for his family tonight. hit your thoughts about his life outside politics. what memories will you carry of him very much as a person can as opposed to an mp? it is can as opposed to an mp? it is difficult to _ can as opposed to an mp? it is difficult to think _ can as opposed to an mp? it is difficult to think of _ can as opposed to an mp? it 3 difficult to think of david outside politics because he was so devoted to politics. he was always one of the last to leave the house of commons at the end of a long day and that includes the age of the all—night sittings which he and i went through for the first half of our parliamentary lives. it is difficult to imagine him outside parliament. as a personality, he was larger than life and the great thing about david laws he would talk to anybody. he worked. there was no such thing as a waiter who came up and just took his order, he would engage him on his life history and what he was doing and how long he had worked there. he was just all enthusiasm. it is bubbling enthusiasm. it is bubbling enthusiasm. that is why this is so utterly shocking. just enthusiasm. that is why this is so utterly shocking.— enthusiasm. that is why this is so utterly shocking. just interested as a final thought, _ utterly shocking. just interested as a final thought, there _ utterly shocking. just interested as a final thought, there have - utterly shocking. just interested as a final thought, there have been i a final thought, there have been reflections as well the face of course is a day to think about sir david and his family but in days to come, inevitably, discussions will have to be had about security. the speaker is alluding to that. what concerns do you have this toxic environment, the attack on sir david, it could put off good people from wanting to enter parliament. i hope it doesn't put off good people from one to enter parliament. the families of current members will be concerned. i also hope, families of current members will be concerned. ialso hope, because families of current members will be concerned. i also hope, because i know david himself would not want this, i hope there is not an overreaction whereby mps remove themselves even further from contact with the public and have screens or whatever it may be. i hope that doesn't happen, i don't believe david would have wanted that to happen and it is crucial that mps go on, mixing with their constituents indiscriminately as they do at the moment. david would have wanted that. he wouldn't have wanted us to retreat from our constituents. that is a really striking _ retreat from our constituents. that is a really striking thought. after 18 months of a pandemic when so much work has been done online, one can imagine there will be calls, people saying, let's do everything online, it is safer thus a word in parliament i would resist that strongly. he parliament i would resist that stronal . ., ., parliament i would resist that stronl. ., ., ., strongly. he wanted to get back to normal politics, _ strongly. he wanted to get back to normal politics, normal— strongly. he wanted to get back to normal politics, normal mixing - strongly. he wanted to get back to | normal politics, normal mixing with constituents. he is right and he was right. i do sincerely hope that there won't be an overreaction in his name. there won't be an overreaction in his name-— there won't be an overreaction in his name. �* ~ .., , ., his name. ann widdecombe, thanks ve much his name. ann widdecombe, thanks very much for— his name. ann widdecombe, thanks very much for your _ his name. ann widdecombe, thanks very much for your reflections - his name. ann widdecombe, thanks very much for your reflections and i very much for your reflections and forjoining us so quickly. a difficult day for you as well, you knew him very well. talking as well about the importance of his faith. our correspondent leigh milner is at the police station in southend—on—sea. we think we will hear a little bit more from the police. explain what the force has been saying so far. that's correct. we haven't had any confirmation at the moment. as you can see behind me, i am standing in front of the police station here in southend—on—sea, a town which has been left in shock today and shark is the word, it has been used many times by the residents. i was speaking to one resident who is extremely emotional. he met him several times. extremely emotional. he met him severaltimes. i extremely emotional. he met him several times. i have written down what he said to me because i can't get it out of my head. he said, he was a dearfriend get it out of my head. he said, he was a dear friend to get it out of my head. he said, he was a dearfriend to me, i'd only ever met him once in my life that he felt like a proper mp, getting involved just like he should be. a lot of emotion in this town today. just to recap what happened. police were called to reports of a stabbing in the next town along in leigh—on—sea which is a small seaside village, very quiet, a lot of residential houses. a real community spirit there. early on, an ambulance, airambulance came community spirit there. early on, an ambulance, air ambulance came along after reports that the 69—year—old had in fact been stabbed several times. he'd actually been stabbed in a church, believe it or not. he was meeting with his constituents and thatis meeting with his constituents and that is exactly why it has caused so much shock here in both southland and leigh—on—sea. he was meeting residents, he was talking about their local issues and that is when their local issues and that is when the incident happened. it also happened in broad daylight, just after 12 o'clock. essex police have told us they have arrested a man on suspicion of murder. they are not looking for anyone else in connection and the man remains in custody. i have in hearing a little earlier on, you are talking about the reaction, the output on social media. the former party leader sir ian duncan smith said, my thoughts are with sir david amess and his family at this time was that this behaviour cannot be tolerated in politics or any other walk of life. thejo politics or any other walk of life. the jo cox foundation has politics or any other walk of life. thejo cox foundation has been in touch, the charity which was set up in memory of the mp who was murdered in memory of the mp who was murdered in 2016, they have said they are horrified by the reports of the stabbing. the foundation has said, we are thinking of him, his family and the loved ones at this distressing time.- and the loved ones at this distressing time. and the loved ones at this distressin: time. . ~ , ., ~ and the loved ones at this distressin: time. . ~' , ., ~ distressing time. thank you. we can now in fact — distressing time. thank you. we can now in fact he _ distressing time. thank you. we can now in fact he at _ distressing time. thank you. we can now in fact he at the _ distressing time. thank you. we can now in fact he at the first _ now in fact he at the first statements from the prime minister, borisjohnson. his reaction to the death of sir david. i think all our hearts are full of shock— i think all our hearts are full of shock and _ i think all our hearts are full of shock and sadness today to the loss of sir _ shock and sadness today to the loss of sir david — shock and sadness today to the loss of sir david. he was killed in his constituency surgery, in a church after _ constituency surgery, in a church after almost 40 years of continuous service _ after almost 40 years of continuous service to _ after almost 40 years of continuous service to the people of essex. and the whole _ service to the people of essex. and the whole of the united kingdom. the reason i _ the whole of the united kingdom. the reason i think people are so shocked and saddened is he was one of the kindest, _ and saddened is he was one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics _ kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics. he also had an outstanding record of passing laws to help _ outstanding record of passing laws to help the most vulnerable, whether people _ to help the most vulnerable, whether people who were suffering from endometriosis, passing laws to end cruelty— endometriosis, passing laws to end cruelty to _ endometriosis, passing laws to end cruelty to animals or doing a huge amount— cruelty to animals or doing a huge amount to — cruelty to animals or doing a huge amount to reduce the fuel poverty suffered _ amount to reduce the fuel poverty suffered by people up and down the country _ suffered by people up and down the country. david was a man who believed — country. david was a man who believed passionately in this country— believed passionately in this country and in its future. we have lost today— country and in its future. we have lost today a — country and in its future. we have lost today a fine public servant and a much _ lost today a fine public servant and a much loved friend and colleague. 0ur a much loved friend and colleague. our thoughts are very much today with his _ our thoughts are very much today with his wife, his children and his family _ with his wife, his children and his famil . ~ . , with his wife, his children and his famil . ~ .,, . with his wife, his children and his famil . ~ .,, with his wife, his children and his famil.. .,, family. was it a shock when you heard about _ family. was it a shock when you heard about this? _ family. was it a shock when you heard about this? he _ family. was it a shock when you heard about this? he has - family. was it a shock when you heard about this? he has been l family. was it a shock when you | heard about this? he has been a conservative mp for a very long time, 40 years. what was your reaction of you and your colleagues when that news came through? i reaction of you and your colleagues when that news came through? i think eve bod when that news came through? i think everybody was — when that news came through? i think everybody was deeply _ when that news came through? i think everybody was deeply shocked - when that news came through? i think everybody was deeply shocked and heart _ everybody was deeply shocked and heart stricken. 0ur everybody was deeply shocked and heart stricken. our thoughts are very heart stricken. 0ur thoughts are very much— heart stricken. our thoughts are very much with his family, with his wife, _ very much with his family, with his wife, his— very much with his family, with his wife, his children and for the rest, we must _ wife, his children and for the rest, we must leave the police to get on with their— we must leave the police to get on with their investigation. thank you very much — the speaker of the house of commons has said this raises the issue of mp safety. we've had two mps from the two main parties in westminster killed in the space of five years. this is a problem, isn't it? it this is a problem, isn't it? it needs to be debated. what we need to do now— needs to be debated. what we need to do now is— needs to be debated. what we need to do now is let the police get on with their investigation and i'm sure all those _ their investigation and i'm sure all thoseissues their investigation and i'm sure all those issues will be considered in the proper— those issues will be considered in the proper time. those issues will be considered in the propertime. ithink those issues will be considered in the proper time. i think this is a moment— the proper time. i think this is a moment for— the proper time. i think this is a moment for us to think of sir david, his wife, _ moment for us to think of sir david, his wife, his— moment for us to think of sir david, his wife, his family and our thoughts _ his wife, his family and our thoughts are very much with them. thank— thoughts are very much with them. thank you — thoughts are very much with them. thank you very much. the thoughts are very much with them. thank you very much.— thank you very much. the prime minister, boris _ thank you very much. the prime minister, boris johnson, - thank you very much. the prime minister, boris johnson, with - thank you very much. the primej minister, boris johnson, with his minister, borisjohnson, with his first reaction, talking about his shock and sadness at the death of sir david amess who had been an essex mp since 1983. striking that the prime minister would not be drawn on the issue of security at this stage. he said today is a day to remember sir david and his family. there are inevitably though conversations already about security. rob wilson is a former conservative mp for reading east and a former goverment minister. tell us about the man that you knew and the mp that you knew. like everybody else, my feelings are ones of shock and devastation and condolences go to his family and the many friends that he has made over many friends that he has made over many years in politics. there are mps who you can take or leave at westminster but david was one of those that's when you met, you genuinely looked forward to seeing him, to enjoy his company, he was somebody that had a fantastic sense of humour, he told some absolute side—splitting stories about his run—ins with the pope and whole range of other things as well. he always made me smile, which is why i always made me smile, which is why i always enjoyed meeting him. he had such a wide range of interests. not just his face and the people see what animals, he was always campaigning in his constituencies, city status, he had such a vast array of causes that he also got involved in. as a backbencher, he loved his work. after 40 years. he liked being in westminster, he loved doing his work in his constituency and he never, to me, once demonstrated in any way he felt jaded or bored by being on the backbenches because, you know, some politicians do feel like that. that is because he had set a level of what he was doing, he had such energy, he was enthusiastic and a campaigner like i've seen nobody else in my time in politics. he has best known in basildon when he won the seat in 1992 and became the emblem of that 1992 campaign. all i can say is, they will be many, many people who will miss this lovely, lovely man over the coming weeks and months. ., ., ., , ., months. you paint a really warm icture months. you paint a really warm picture there- — months. you paint a really warm picture there. so _ months. you paint a really warm picture there. so here _ months. you paint a really warm picture there. so here he - months. you paint a really warm picture there. so here he is- months. you paint a really warm | picture there. so here he is loved thatjob picture there. so here he is loved that job so picture there. so here he is loved thatjob so much after decades, he still felt, did he, that he could still felt, did he, that he could still achieve things for the constituency? he could still represent his constituency views. he felt, did he, he could make a difference?— felt, did he, he could make a difference? , , ., difference? oh, yes. the thing about david, he always _ difference? oh, yes. the thing about david, he always felt _ difference? oh, yes. the thing about david, he always felt he _ difference? oh, yes. the thing about david, he always felt he could - difference? oh, yes. the thing about david, he always felt he could make| david, he always felt he could make a difference for his constituents and he worked tirelessly for them. he was involved in such a range of local causes and national causes for that matter. he would take on any issues he felt would make a difference to his constituents. his huge energy meant his campaigns always had that real chance of success. the thing is, he loved doing it, he loved making people happy and he loved helping them. it was an enormous loss to his constituents. i was an enormous loss to his constituents.— was an enormous loss to his constituents. ., , constituents. i hope you are still with us. constituents. i hope you are still with us- you _ constituents. i hope you are still with us. you paint— constituents. i hope you are still with us. you paint such - constituents. i hope you are still with us. you paint such a - constituents. i hope you are still with us. you paint such a warm, | with us. you paint such a warm, human and picture of him which is very special to hear about life both outside and inside parliament. i was struck by speaking to ann widdecombe, a former conservative mp like yourself, she was very strong and saying, we were discussing security and she said, david would not once, as a result of this, and knee jerk reaction around issues of security because she thought he enjoyed, as you say, he enjoyed going out, meeting people, talking to his constituents. she said he would not want draconian measures to come in as a result of what we are so sadly discussing today. that come in as a result of what we are so sadly discussing today.- so sadly discussing today. that is one of the _ so sadly discussing today. that is one of the wonderful _ so sadly discussing today. that is one of the wonderful things - so sadly discussing today. that is| one of the wonderful things about being an mp, the range of people you meet and you see individually. the closest thing i can think of is being a bit like a family doctor. you get out to see people, to see them in their homes, in surgeries, get to know them and you get to know some of them really well and all the problems and issues they face. that is wonderful. people stop you because they want to talk to you, you have helped them for one reason or another. you have helped them for one reason oranother. david you have helped them for one reason or another. david wrote about the differences that have come in recent years in terms of relating to constituents. i know from my own experience, when i first went into parliament back in 2005, i would have drop in surgery when anybody could turn up, i would go to libraries, cafes, churches, leisure centres, pubs, even mcdonald's where people were unable to come and meet me. the dangers of doing that became so great because it was an uncontrolled environment, i had to change things particularly after the murder ofjo cox. we received advice, we always had to have escape routes, we had to have panic alarms installed, we had to carry these contraptions around with us in case we got into trouble around the constituency. life became very different in terms of how you are able to interact on a daily basis. i'm afraid, i think ann is right, you don't want to overreact but i'm afraid security of mps need to be looked at. just as much alongside that, we need to look at the safety of their staff as well. there are always two people in constituency surgeries and normally that is a 20—something young person who is there to notes and to help the surgeries to run efficiently. there is also the front office. all of those people are in danger as well and we need to make sure they are safe too. ., , and we need to make sure they are safe too. .,, . ,., and we need to make sure they are safe too. .,, . ., ,, ,., and we need to make sure they are safe too. .,, . ., ,, y., safe too. rob wilson, thank you so much. so striking _ safe too. rob wilson, thank you so much. so striking to _ safe too. rob wilson, thank you so much. so striking to hear- safe too. rob wilson, thank you so much. so striking to hear your - much. so striking to hear your memories of sir david and your reflections. thank you very much indeed. rob wilson, former conservative mp. he was mp for reading east. he was talking about the changes that have developed sadly for the worse in the last few years in terms of security, social media, all the issues that will doubtlessly be discussed over and over, sadly, in the coming days and weeks. to the point about security, a few words coming through from the home secretary. priti patel saying, questions are rightly being asked about the safety of mps. she says, she will provide updates in due course. the home secretary saying questions are being asked about the safety of mps. interesting as well and good to be reminded by rob wilson, it is about their staff as well. it isn'tjust the elected representative, it is about the constituency office managers, all those who run their offices on a day—to—day basis. they face problems as well and they need to be thought about as well. that is a striking point rob wilson made. let's get more from our political correspondent pete saull — what more can you tell us. we reflect on shock and sadness and striking that the prime minister in his statement would not be drawn on theissue his statement would not be drawn on the issue of security. he said this was a day purely to talk about sir david, the mp who has died. he: expressed his personal shock and loss of what he called a colleague and a friend. he talked about how he had been a great campaigner in parliament on a range of different issues from ending menial? endometriosis to fuel poverty and expressing how much of a loss this is to parliament. it was put to the prime minister also that given this is five years after the brutal murder of another mp, is five years after the brutal murder ofanother mp, labour is five years after the brutal murder ofanothermp, labourmp,jo murder of another mp, labour mp, jo cox murder ofanothermp, labourmp,jo cox in her constituency in west yorkshire, this is an attack on our democracy but he wouldn't engage without question. he said those conversations were for the coming days. now, it is about reflecting on the life of david amess sharing our thoughts and prayers with his family. as you say, the home secretary, priti patel, has tweeted saying this does raise questions about the security of our mps as they go about doing the fundamentals of theirjob, speaking to the people that elect them to represent them in parliament has an awful lot of people seeing this today as a fundamental attack on our politics in this country.— we are reflecting very much on the basis of sir david amess who was killed around lunchtime today. police were called to a church in essex, where the constituency surgery was under way. we still waiting for more details from essex police but they have arrested a 25—year—old man and say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. while politicians from the prime minister down are reflecting that today is a day to remember sir david and to think about his family, he had five children, he leaves a wife and five children, he leaves a wife and five children, questions also turn to security and priti patel the home secretary is one among people saying they will be questions. philip grindell runs specialist security firm defuse. we don't know the absolute specifics of this dreadful incident at lunchtime but from what we know, from what you have been reading, the thoughts of an mp advertising where he is, when he will be there, for obvious reasons, to hear his constituencies concerns, your thought about security in relation to holding such an open event as that? good evening. i should probably say that previously i was the detective is running — that previously i was the detective is running the team within parliament that managed all of these issues _ parliament that managed all of these issues and _ parliament that managed all of these issues and threats to mp5. i've got some _ issues and threats to mp5. i've got some insights into the challenges of doing _ some insights into the challenges of doing that. what we have to remember is we have _ doing that. what we have to remember is we have 650 mp5 who live in different — is we have 650 mp5 who live in different variety of constituencies. some _ different variety of constituencies. some are — different variety of constituencies. some are urban, some those in the urban— some are urban, some those in the urban environment have a fixed location — urban environment have a fixed location to— urban environment have a fixed location to have their surgeries and an afforded — location to have their surgeries and an afforded greater protection because — an afforded greater protection because of that, because of the physical— because of that, because of the physical protection measures they -et. physical protection measures they get. those who are in more rural areas _ get. those who are in more rural areas often — get. those who are in more rural areas often have less because they areas often have less because they are often _ areas often have less because they are often moving around the constituency and holding their surgeries in a variety of places. this— surgeries in a variety of places. this work— surgeries in a variety of places. this work was in a village church. there _ this work was in a village church. there are — this work was in a village church. there are less availability in terms of the _ there are less availability in terms of the security measures. we know that constituency surgeries, there has been — that constituency surgeries, there has been a — that constituency surgeries, there has been a lot of work around trying to add _ has been a lot of work around trying to add protective security measures and methodology to keep that safe. we don't _ and methodology to keep that safe. we don't know what happened today. whatever— we don't know what happened today. whatever has happened is a devastating attack i my thoughts are with his _ devastating attack i my thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues. we know there are common denominator— colleagues. we know there are common denominator is around these attacks. the police _ denominator is around these attacks. the police will be looking at many of those _ the police will be looking at many of those issues. to— of those issues. to what extent was security, the plans that were made, how much changed in the wake of the murder of jo cox? i was five years ago and there are so many people across the political spectrum reflecting why? why has this happened again five years later? yea rs later? we years later? we don't know why this has happened that is— we don't know why this has happened that is important to remember that not speculate on that because we don't _ not speculate on that because we don't know the specific circumstances. in answer to your initial— circumstances. in answer to your initial point, — circumstances. in answer to your initial point, there were huge things— initial point, there were huge things done after the murder ofjo cox. things done after the murder ofjo cox in— things done after the murder ofjo cox. in some times it was difficult because _ cox. in some times it was difficult because not all the mp5 took that advice _ because not all the mp5 took that advice i— because not all the mp5 took that advice. i have listened to your show and reflecting on some of are rob wilson— and reflecting on some of are rob wilson site and i'm it is clear politicians don't want to live and work _ politicians don't want to live and work in — politicians don't want to live and work in an— politicians don't want to live and work in an environment where they are separated from their constituencies. we have the plan security— constituencies. we have the plan security measures around that and the processes we have built in were around _ the processes we have built in were around that— the processes we have built in were around that and so, in most cases, these _ around that and so, in most cases, these are _ around that and so, in most cases, these are still rare occasions. this is the _ these are still rare occasions. this is the fourth — these are still rare occasions. this is the fourth time an mp has been attacked _ is the fourth time an mp has been attacked and killed in this instance. they are relatively rare. you make — instance. they are relatively rare. you make a — instance. they are relatively rare. you make a valid point, we suggest we don't know the specifics of this case at the moment and that is important to remember. your point is interesting that people in your position can give advice, you can make suggestions but it is up to the individual ultimately to decide how they wanted to run things, particularly in their constituency. there is a huge machine behind—the—scenes. the parliamentary liaison— behind—the—scenes. the parliamentary liaison investigation team which i set up _ liaison investigation team which i set up in — liaison investigation team which i set up in the local policing amongst other— set up in the local policing amongst other organisations that work to keep— other organisations that work to keep mps a say. there is a huge amount— keep mps a say. there is a huge amount of— keep mps a say. there is a huge amount of protective security measures that are made available to every— measures that are made available to every mp_ measures that are made available to every mp at their home addresses. there _ every mp at their home addresses. there is— every mp at their home addresses. there is advice on how to run their surgeries— there is advice on how to run their surgeries and measures to do. i listened — surgeries and measures to do. i listened to— surgeries and measures to do. i listened to rob talking about how he used to _ listened to rob talking about how he used to run— listened to rob talking about how he used to run his surgeries compared to how— used to run his surgeries compared to how he — used to run his surgeries compared to how he could change. that was based _ to how he could change. that was based on — to how he could change. that was based on the advice we gave to them and it— based on the advice we gave to them and it isnt— based on the advice we gave to them and it isn't advice we wanted but it is practical— and it isn't advice we wanted but it is practical advice around how to make _ is practical advice around how to make yourself safe an environment where _ make yourself safe an environment where it _ make yourself safe an environment where it is— make yourself safe an environment where it is a — make yourself safe an environment where it is a predictable place. you know— where it is a predictable place. you know exactly who is coming. people are to _ know exactly who is coming. people are to rememberthat know exactly who is coming. people are to remember that you can only see your— are to remember that you can only see your mp if you are a local constituent. i can't go and see an mpjust _ constituent. i can't go and see an mpjust because i fancy seeing any particular— mpjust because i fancy seeing any particular mp. it is no great surprise _ particular mp. it is no great surprise that any attack has been done _ surprise that any attack has been done by— surprise that any attack has been done by a — surprise that any attack has been done by a local constituents. that is the _ done by a local constituents. that is the same — done by a local constituents. that is the same today. a couple of years a-o, is the same today. a couple of years ago. just— is the same today. a couple of years ago. just as — is the same today. a couple of years ago. just as l — is the same today. a couple of years ago, just as i was leaving parliament, the introduced security guards _ parliament, the introduced security guards for— parliament, the introduced security guards for constituency offices. not everyone _ guards for constituency offices. not everyone has taken that up. some people _ everyone has taken that up. some people don't feel that is the right tone which they wish to site. there are things — tone which they wish to site. there are things out there that are available _ are things out there that are available to them but not everyone chooses _ available to them but not everyone chooses to — available to them but not everyone chooses to take them up. let's remind you of hte breaking news this afternoon — the conservative mp sir david amess has been killed in a knife attack in essex. the mp for southend west was attacked this lunchtime while he was holding a constituency surgery (00v) at belfairs methodist surgery at belfairs methodist church in leigh on sea. reports say he was stabbed multiple times. a 25 year—old man's been arrested and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack. he was killed in his constituency surgery— he was killed in his constituency surgery in— he was killed in his constituency surgery in a church after almost 40 years _ surgery in a church after almost 40 years of _ surgery in a church after almost 40 years of continuous service to the people _ years of continuous service to the people of— years of continuous service to the people of essex whom the whole of the united kingdom. david was a man who believed — kingdom. david was a man who believed passionately in this country— believed passionately in this country and in its future. we have lost today— country and in its future. we have lost today a — country and in its future. we have lost today a fine public servant and a much _ lost today a fine public servant and a much loved friend and colleague and our— a much loved friend and colleague and our thoughts are with his wife and our thoughts are with his wife and children. was and our thoughts are with his wife and children.— and children. was it a sense of shock when — and children. was it a sense of shock when you _ and children. was it a sense of shock when you heard - and children. was it a sense of shock when you heard this. - and children. was it a sense of - shock when you heard this. somebody has been a conservative mp for a very long time, 40 years. what was your reaction when the news filtered through? i think everybody was deeply shocked and heart stricken and our thoughts are very much with his family with his children and for the rest, we must let the police get on with an investigation. the speaker of the house of commons has said today he is shocked, saddened and distressed and it raises the issue of mps safety. we have had to mps killed in the space of five years. this is an urgent problem and needs to be debated. hate years. this is an urgent problem and needs to be debated.— years. this is an urgent problem and needs to be debated. we need to let the olice needs to be debated. we need to let the police get _ needs to be debated. we need to let the police get on _ needs to be debated. we need to let the police get on where _ needs to be debated. we need to let the police get on where the - the police get on where the investigation and i'm sure all those issues _ investigation and i'm sure all those issues will— investigation and i'm sure all those issues will be considered in the proper— issues will be considered in the proper time but this is a moment to think— proper time but this is a moment to think of— proper time but this is a moment to think of sir— proper time but this is a moment to think of sir david, his wife and his family— think of sir david, his wife and his family and — think of sir david, his wife and his family and our thoughts are with them _ the prime minister expressing his sadness of the death of one of his party's mps as he was carrying out his constituency surgery. as we have been reflecting, this is an event, a shocking event that cuts across political boundaries. we have seen very many kind words said about sir david. the labour leader keir starmer called the news "horrific and deeply shocking". meanwhile, the welsh first minister mark drakeford called the attack a "truly despicable and horrifying act". and former prime minister tony blair said he was "shocked and horrified" by the news. flags outside parliament have been lowered to half mast. sir david, who was 69, had been mp for southend west since 1997. he had been an essex mp since 1983. i have heard from a number of other gas this afternoon about some of sir david's activities outside parliament. a number of people spoke about his charitable endeavours, how much enthusiasm he had for so many projects. among many other things he was patron of a music education service for people with disabilities, and i am joined now by the founder and ceo of that project. the project is based in southend. thank you so much for your time to stop a difficult day for you, i am sure. tell us about your memories of sir david and the work you did with him. just a devastating _ the work you did with him. just a devastating day. _ the work you did with him. just a devastating day. david _ the work you did with him. just a devastating day. david was - the work you did with him. just a devastating day. david was the l the work you did with him. juli a. devastating day. david was the pass in and supporter but as well as that he was the patron and president of the music man charity, which as you have said provides opportunities for children and adults with learning disabilities. and in many ways people with disabilities cannot necessarily change the destiny themselves. and sir david worked tirelessly over many years to open doors for my students to play music, to sing, and most notably to perform at both the london palladium and in front of 3000 people at the royal albert hole, and these are the sort of thing so david would do. —— at the royal albert hall. these were the royal albert hall. these were the sort of things he would do for other people and he was a true constituent mp in that regard, he really cared about the people of southend, notjust the most obvious people we might see. i'm talking about those with learning disabilities, who were without his help would not have been able to fulfil their dreams, so for the whole learning disabled community, the project based on his constituency here in southend and all of the other centres he helped me set up around the country, it is the most devastating news. fight! me set up around the country, it is the most devastating news. and did he en'o the most devastating news. and did he enjoy the — the most devastating news. and did he enjoy the music _ the most devastating news. and did he enjoy the music as _ the most devastating news. and did he enjoy the music as well? - the most devastating news. and did he enjoy the music as well? is - the most devastating news. and did he enjoy the music as well? is thatl he enjoy the music as well? is that one of the things that drew him to the charitable work that you do? yes, i think it really matched his personality. he was such a larger—than—life character and had la rger—than—life character and had this larger—than—life character and had this wonderful way of getting people to go with him. he would make these grand statements about what we were going to do, because if you can imagine, not so many decades ago, the idea of putting hundreds of musicians with learning disabilities on the west end stage or indeed the iconic albert hole, it would have been completely impossible. —— the iconic albert hall. so he loved this idea of having the grand statements and huge ambitions. and we were working on our next plan, to take our performance to broadway, and then on to other big concerts in london. and, you know, that's why it's so cruel, because he helped so many people and he did it with such a smile on his face, with such passion, because he knew the impact music could have on my students and theirfamilies. and he also knew, i think this is really important, he knew how we were able to change perception and raise awareness about what people with disabilities could do. it wasn't always about what they need it. it was about what they could contribute to society. and i think that really chimed with sir david and he supported me and the charity with such... heartworm infection. —— heart—warming affection. i infection. -- heart-warming affection-— infection. -- heart-warming affection. ., ., ., , ., infection. -- heart-warming affection. ., ., ., affection. i wonder how many of your events and concerts _ affection. i wonder how many of your events and concerts and _ affection. i wonder how many of your events and concerts and so _ affection. i wonder how many of your events and concerts and so on - affection. i wonder how many of your events and concerts and so on he - affection. i wonder how many of your| events and concerts and so on he was able to get to? an mp, like so many in public life, have big demands on their time, in public life, have big demands on theirtime, i'm interested in public life, have big demands on their time, i'm interested that you feel he was so engaged with what you do with the project. i feel he was so engaged with what you do with the project.— do with the pro'ect. i couldn't have asked for do with the project. i couldn't have asked for anymore. _ do with the project. i couldn't have asked for anymore. whatever - do with the project. i couldn't have asked for anymore. whatever your| asked for anymore. whatever your politics, there is one thing that people here in southend used to say about sir david that he turned up. he supported, he did his speech at the end, he made sure, and i can remember doing events with sir david where he would be rushing between three or four and then he was just about to get the towers at the end or he had to watch the first half and go, because he was going to support another charity or another school or another great cause. so he was so committed. and that's what i mean by a true constituency mp. he put us first. and that was the most remarkable feature, i think, and attributed to him. he put us first and just wanted to help all the time. and our charity and the success it has become, you know, is largely down to him.— largely down to him. thank you so much for your— largely down to him. thank you so much for your reflections, - largely down to him. thank you so much for your reflections, thank i largely down to him. thank you so l much for your reflections, thank you forjoining us tonight on bbc news. david is the founder and ceo of that charity, the music man project, which is based in essex. i've been talking to many people who knew sir david well, including kevin hale, the vicar general of the dioceses of brentwood, and parish priest in sir david's constituency, he knew him well, as well. he gave me some reflections on how his faith shaped his political outlook and family life. i think ithinki i think i speakfor i think i speak for everyone i think i speakfor everyone in i think i speak for everyone in the area when i say we are utterly shocked and appalled by what has happened and it's hard to believe it, really. there is a great sense of incredulity about the whole event. sir david was a neighbour of ours, he would have been a great friend of the parish here, a frequent visitor and familiar face in the area. a great supporter of everything in the parish area and locality, he was to be seen at mass, great catholic, great constituency man, so we are utterly appalled. and if i can speak on behalf of the catholic community in the area, our hearts and prayers go out profoundly to his wife and to his children at this time. �* i. to his wife and to his children at this time. �* , ., ., , to his wife and to his children at this time. �* ., , ., this time. and your thoughts about him as a person. — this time. and your thoughts about him as a person, as— this time. and your thoughts about him as a person, as well? - this time. and your thoughts about him as a person, as well? you - this time. and your thoughts about| him as a person, as well? you knew him as a person, as well? you knew him as a constituency mp, but your thoughts about him the individual? david was a great supporter of anything we did in the area. he made himself very readily available to all the faces in the area but if i was to highlight a few things, i would say that david was such a great supporter of the pro—life work, pro—life activities of the church, a great supporter of marriage and family life, too. and also a great supporter of our catholic education. i know whenever there were problems with our schools, he would make representations personally to the department for education. so we had a great friend in him and a great supporter. and he would support local activities, as well. he was often to be seen at the various activities we had in the south end area. so, yes, i can barely find words to say how shocked we all feel at this moment. {th words to say how shocked we all feel at this moment.— at this moment. of course. as so many people _ at this moment. of course. as so many people are. _ at this moment. of course. as so many people are, across - at this moment. of course. as so many people are, across the - many people are, across the political divide. this is a nonpartisan issue, isn't it? and politicians don't necessarily always talk publicly about their face, why should they, not everyone is comfortable with that, but as i understand it, you knew him, not me, but as i understand it, his face was very important to him and what you want a catholic school and i understand he carried that through his life? —— his faith was imported him. his life? -- his faith was imported him. �* , his life? -- his faith was imported him. , his life? -- his faith was imported him. ., , ., him. absolutely, david was a student- -- — him. absolutely, david was a student... and _ him. absolutely, david was a student... and he _ him. absolutely, david was a student... and he very - him. absolutely, david was a student... and he very much | him. absolutely, david was a - student... and he very much loved his roots in that part of east london. he was to be seen frequently at mass in the area here, he was a weekly, recently in local parishes including our own, so a familiar face at our catholic mass, our catholic worship. monsignor hales or whoever speaking _ catholic worship. monsignor hales or whoever speaking to _ catholic worship. monsignor hales or whoever speaking to in _ catholic worship. monsignor hales or whoever speaking to in the _ catholic worship. monsignor hales or whoever speaking to in the last - catholic worship. monsignor hales or whoever speaking to in the last hour| whoever speaking to in the last hour or so. with that reaction to the death of sir david the last few moments from the mp kim ledbetter who is of course the sister ofjo cox. the labour mp who was murdered just over five years ago. kim is now labour mp and she has been giving her reaction to this afternoon's news. ., . y her reaction to this afternoon's news. ., ., , , ~ her reaction to this afternoon's news. .,., , , _ ., news. totally shocked by what has ha ened. news. totally shocked by what has happened- to _ news. totally shocked by what has happened. to think _ news. totally shocked by what has happened. to think that _ news. totally shocked by what has| happened. to think that something news. totally shocked by what has - happened. to think that something so horrific could happen again to another mp. to another family. horrific could happen again to another mp. to anotherfamily. and scared and frightened, and yeah a real roller coaster of emotions. my phone started going straightaway. , you know, you 0k? and i was ok, i was visiting a school. but the shock and the feelings for us as a family obviously as to what we went through and now another family is having to go through that again is horrific. and it is hard to put into words how that feels but the main people i am thinking about our david's family and friends and actually the community that he represents and is represented for such a long time and i think that's the thing that people need to understand, it's about a lot of people whose lives will have been changed forever today. and people still come up to me about where they were whenjoe was killed and a politician and it's really important that we get good people in public life but this is the risk we are all taking. and so many mps today will be scared by this, and my partners that i don't want you to do it anymore. because the next time that phone goes it could be a different conversation. so there's so many layers to this and of the heart if it are his family and friends and i know for them now that their lives will never be the same again. they will never be the same again. they will think about this every single day for the rest of their lives. and like i say even his staff, and so many people today that been out there trying to do the right to do a reallyjob in public life and then this happens. and it's unbelievable that it can happen. i still cannot believe this has happened. so it feels very raw for me and i know from the messages i've been receiving from politicians across the political spectrum, for them it is incredibly raw. but the main people on my mind are david's family and friends, and i know the roller coaster that they will now be on. and there is so little that you can say. because it has happened. kim ledbetter say. because it has happened. kim ledbetter who _ say. because it has happened. kim ledbetter who is now the labour mp. her sister wasjo cox who was murdered a little over five years ago in her constituency, she was on her way to a constituency meeting when she was attacked. author, political commentator and the lbc broadcaster iain dale worked closely with sir david. he was due to be seeing him this evening and he gave me his reflections. i evening and he gave me his reflections.— evening and he gave me his reflections. , ., , ., , reflections. i should be, at this very moment. _ reflections. i should be, at this very moment, on _ reflections. i should be, at this very moment, on my— reflections. i should be, at this very moment, on my way - reflections. i should be, at this very moment, on my way to i reflections. i should be, at this - very moment, on my way to southend to speak— very moment, on my way to southend to speak to— very moment, on my way to southend to speak to the local conservative legislation. as an organist for months — legislation. as an organist for months and i got an e—mail from the deputy— months and i got an e—mail from the deputy chairman of the association about _ deputy chairman of the association about half— deputy chairman of the association about half past 12 telling me what had happened. they did not know the e> well. he wasjust one of life's positive figures, he always had a smile _ positive figures, he always had a smile he — positive figures, he always had a smile. he had some quite right wing views— smile. he had some quite right wing views on— smile. he had some quite right wing views on some things but they were mps knew— views on some things but they were mps knew that if they wanted to get a campaign going he was a very, very -ood a campaign going he was a very, very good ally— a campaign going he was a very, very good ally to _ a campaign going he was a very, very good ally to have it. and he was 'ust good ally to have it. and he was just like — good ally to have it. and he was just like across parliament in a no on occasions _ just like across parliament in a no on occasions like this when someone dies in _ on occasions like this when someone dies in tragic— on occasions like this when someone dies in tragic circumstances everyone _ dies in tragic circumstances everyone comes out with trade clich s— everyone comes out with trade clich 5 about stuff but it was actually _ clich 5 about stuff but it was actually true in his case. it is such— actually true in his case. it is such a — actually true in his case. it is such a loss. _ actually true in his case. it is such a loss, ijust cannot imagine what _ such a loss, ijust cannot imagine what his— such a loss, ijust cannot imagine what his wife and kids must be going through— what his wife and kids must be going through at— what his wife and kids must be going through at the moment i can't even think— through at the moment i can't even think about — through at the moment i can't even think about how someone could do so be like _ think about how someone could do so be like this— think about how someone could do so be like this and people cannot get through— be like this and people cannot get through their heads. he be like this and people cannot get through their heads.— be like this and people cannot get through their heads. he was due to be seeinr through their heads. he was due to be seeing sir _ through their heads. he was due to be seeing sir david _ through their heads. he was due to be seeing sir david and _ through their heads. he was due to be seeing sir david and his - be seeing sir david and his constituency tonight. the last few moments we have had more comments from the leader of the labour party. let's hear this tribute from sir keir starmer. mr; let's hear this tribute from sir keir starmer.— let's hear this tribute from sir keir starmer. g ., ., , ., ., keir starmer. my heart goes out to his wife, to — keir starmer. my heart goes out to his wife, to his _ keir starmer. my heart goes out to his wife, to his children, _ keir starmer. my heart goes out to his wife, to his children, his - keir starmer. my heart goes out to his wife, to his children, his widerl his wife, to his children, his wider family, his staff and all of his friends and colleagues. today is a dark and a shocking day. the more so because a heartbreakingly we have been here before. informed by his faith, sir david had a profound sense of public duty and he was highly respected and much like across the house of parliament on all sides. and within the christian community. we now have to come together in response to this horrendous act and show that violence, intimidation and threats will never prevail over the tireless work of public servants like david. simply doing hisjob. fishd work of public servants like david. simply doing hisjob.— work of public servants like david. simply doing his job. simply doing his 'ob. and you have come simply doing his 'ob. and you have simply doing his job. and you have come across them _ simply doing his job. and you have come across them and _ simply doing his job. and you have come across them and worked i come across them and worked alongside many years, what was he like as— alongside many years, what was he like as a _ alongside many years, what was he like as a person and as an mp was as though— like as a person and as an mp was as though he_ like as a person and as an mp was as though he was much respected, he had that profound sense of duty. he was driven _ that profound sense of duty. he was driven by— that profound sense of duty. he was driven by his faith, and that is why across— driven by his faith, and that is why across the — driven by his faith, and that is why across the parties, across the parliament he was so respected and so liked _ parliament he was so respected and so liked. there's a very profound sense _ so liked. there's a very profound sense of— so liked. there's a very profound sense of loss, i think, across politics— sense of loss, i think, across politics and across faith and up and down _ politics and across faith and up and down the _ politics and across faith and up and down the country. as politics and across faith and up and down the country.— politics and across faith and up and down the country. as you mentioned ourself down the country. as you mentioned yourself there _ down the country. as you mentioned yourself there was _ down the country. as you mentioned yourself there was time _ down the country. as you mentioned yourself there was time three i down the country. as you mentioned yourself there was time three felt i yourself there was time three felt very close year colleague jo cox, what you think needs to happen now port security for mps when they have constituency meetings?— port security for mps when they have constituency meetings? there's many ruestions i constituency meetings? there's many questions i think _ constituency meetings? there's many questions i think that _ constituency meetings? there's many questions i think that are _ constituency meetings? there's many questions i think that are still- questions i think that are still there — questions i think that are still there but— questions i think that are still there but i think today is the day when _ there but i think today is the day when all— there but i think today is the day when all of our thoughts and focus are with _ when all of our thoughts and focus are with sir— when all of our thoughts and focus are with sir david's family. and there _ are with sir david's family. and there are — are with sir david's family. and there are questions for other days but today— there are questions for other days but today our thoughts come our prayers, — but today our thoughts come our prayers, our focus is on them. thank you _ prayers, our focus is on them. thank ou. ., , ., prayers, our focus is on them. thank ou. ., ., you. the labour leader keir starmer with his reflections _ you. the labour leader keir starmer with his reflections and _ you. the labour leader keir starmer with his reflections and expressing. with his reflections and expressing his shock. anger, as expend expressed by people from all political parties here over the last few hours that sir david amess had died. he had been an mp in essex in various constituencies for the best part of 40 years and some people who knew him me this afternoon that he was a larger character who love to being an mp, who loved essex and who still enjoyed the job after so very many years of doing it. the flags are flying tonight at half mast in downing street. there will be more tribute than more reaction to his death coming up shortly in the six o'clock news. we will pause now just for a moment, we will catch up with the weather forecast here is been rich. today got off to a decided the chilli and in places frosty start across the northern half of the uk. morning temperatures hovered around freezing and parts of northern ireland, far north of england and up into scotland. it was a much milder start for the south and that is where we have seen the highest temperatures through this afternoon. the dividing line between the cold air and mild the dividing line between the cold airand mild air district the dividing line between the cold air and mild air district of cloud, and with a friend that has been sinking southwards, quite a weaker fair and will move into this evening as to tonight. temperatures have not been very high across the north of the uk and the will start a drop away particularly across eastern parts of scotland and down the eastern side of england. 0f parts of scotland and down the eastern side of england. of the night generally see cloud amounts increasing from the southwest and with that extra cloud it will start to turn milder in western areas but as i mentioned the lowest temperatures in eastern scotland, parts of eastern england getting down to around freezing and again touch of frost in these areas tomorrow morning. a frontal system approaching, that will be thickening of the cloud, generally speaking a lot of cloud around on saturday morning. through the day that cloud should tend to thin and brake, sunday sounds across england and wales in sunny spots across northeast scotland. but thicker club will bring rain later in the day to western parts of northern ireland and the far west of scotland. those temperatures beginning to nudge upwards, ten to 16 degrees. as a move out of saturday into sunday this frontal system continues its journey eastwards. there's some uncertainty about the detail of sunday public forecast, excepting a lot of cloud and there will be some rain at times. maybe that across the southwest it is a little wetter than these graphics suggest. 0ne southwest it is a little wetter than these graphics suggest. one thing we can say for sure if the wins will be coming up from the south pulling mild air in our direction. so sunday certainly will be a milder day. 13 degrees in aberdeen, down towards the south, cardiff, london 17 or maybe 18 degrees. as we head into next week frontal system is pushing into the atlantic bouts of heavy rain from some strong winds at times but those will be coming up from the south feeding mild air right across the uk. so some much milder weather for a time next week. get to 20 degrees in the south, it is likely to turn cooler later in the week. at six: the conservative mp sir david amess has been stabbed to death in essex. the 69—year—old was attacked with a knife multiple times as he met his constituents at a local church in leigh on sea. he died at the scene. a 25—year—old man is being held on suspicion of murder. the prime minister has described sir david as one of the kindest people in politics. well, i think all our hearts are full of shock and sadness today at the loss of sir david amess mp, who was killed in his constituency surgery in a church after almost 40 years of continuous service to the people of essex and the whole of the united kingdom.