:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/05779e3e-2e6c-11ec-b609-02c309bc01c1.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 "British Prime Minister to church where MP Amess was stabbed to death Abroad")
Amess, 69, a party colleague of the conservative prime minister, was attacked and stabbed repeatedly on Friday. That happened in the house of worship in Leigh-on-Sea, east of London. The police consider the murder an act of terror and have arrested a 25-year-old suspect.
disgust
The second deadly attack on a parliamentarian in more than five years sparked shocked reactions and discussion about the safety of MPs. Political rivals Johnson and Starmer took to Twitter to express their disgust at the murder. The prime minister called Amess one of the most mild-mannered people in politics.
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Politicians Johnson and Starmer laid flowers and held a moment of silence before leaving again.
Ⓒ ANP/HH
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Home Secretary Priti Patel and House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle also attended church in Leigh-on-Sea on Saturday morning. According to British media, Amess was there at the time of the attack to hold talks with residents of his constituency.
Discussion
It is part of British political culture for politicians to hold such gatherings where they personally engage with voters. After the murder of Amess, there was immediate discussion about whether such contacts between parliamentarians and other citizens should be temporarily suspended for security reasons.
House of Commons Speaker Hoyle has announced that next Monday parliament will commemorate the death of Amess. He calls for more “friendliness” in politics and asked Britons to support and respect their politicians, according to Sky News.
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