MEMBERS of Parliament for Taunton Deane, Somerton and Frome, Yeovil, and Wells have paid tribute to Sir David Amess MP.
Sir David died after being stabbed multiple times on Friday while holding a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea.
A 25-year-old man initially arrested on suspicion of murder has been named as Ali Harbi Ali.
He is being held under the Terrorism Act.
Sir David, 69, had served as the Conservative MP for Southend West since May 1997.
The Queen has agreed to grant Southend city status - something Sir David had campaigned for - in his honour.
He had previously served as the MP for Basildon from 1983.
Sir David, a devout Catholic, was married and had five children.
In Parliament, he was known as an animal rights activist, a campaigner against fuel poverty, and a dedicated servant of his constituents.
His fellow parliamentarians paid tribute to him yesterday in the House of Commons.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The passing of 72 hours has done little to numb the shock and sadness we all felt when we heard of the tragic and senseless death of Sir David Amess.
"This House has lost a steadfast servant, we’ve lost a dear friend and colleague, and Julia and her children have lost a loving husband and devoted father.
"Nothing I or anyone else can say can lessen the pain, the grief, the anger they must feel at this darkest of times.”
He continued: "Sir David was a patriot who believed passionately in this country, in its people and in its future.
"He was also one of the nicest, kindest, and most gentle individuals ever to grace these benches.
"That Sir David spent almost 40 years in this House, but not one day in ministerial office, tells everything about where his priorities lay."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Sir David was a dedicated parliamentarian, and his loss is felt profoundly across this House.
"We are united in our grief at this terrible time.
"We are thinking of David and his family.
"We are thinking once again of our dear friend Jo Cox, who was killed just five short years ago."
Somerset Conservative MPs Rebecca Pow, David Warburton, Marcus Fysh and James Heappey have also paid tribute to Sir David.
Rebecca Pow MP (Taunton Deane)
"The murder of Sir David Amess, a dedicated public servant, whose motivation was only ever to do for the good of those he served, was shocking.
"My heart is filled with prayers and thoughts for Sir David’s family and his very many friends.
"If you want an example of an exemplary parliamentarian and constituency MP, then Sir David was it.
"In his dedicated way, he achieved great things for Southend West, and on the wider stage.
"It is a great tribute to Sir David that Southend will now become a city, which he tirelessly campaigned for.
"I engaged with him on a range of animal welfare issues, about which he cared passionately.
"He was also a valuable support to me and was a kind and thoughtful friend – I will miss him (and that beaming smile.)
"This tragic event has served to remind us of the vulnerability of MPs and their dedicated staff, and whilst we must take sensible security measures and may need to tighten some procedures, I want to give assurances that I will continue be out and about in Taunton Deane, which is also my home, and as I did in north Taunton only last week.
"I have received many messages of condolence and kind wishes from across the constituency and political divide, for which I am grateful.
"The overwhelming message is that we must continue the job we were elected to do and strive, even if we may not always agree with each other, to have a more gentle form of politics as we move forward.
"I couldn’t agree more.
"I call for understanding, whether it be for MPs, councillors or other public servants who have stepped forward to serve.
"In particular, a kinder approach in social media and communications in general would make a difference."
David Warburton MP (Somerton and Frome)
"I knew Sir David well and his tragic death has been a shock for all of us.
"I can’t quite believe it and my thoughts continue to be with him and his family during this incredibly tough time.
"Sir David was a dedicated public servant who deeply cared about his constituents and has an outstanding record on passing laws to help the most vulnerable in our society, from helping those suffering endometrioses, to his work ending cruelty to animals, and the huge amount he did to reduce fuel poverty.
"It would be an understatement to say that he will be truly missed.
"His tragic death is not only felt across Parliament, but also across his wonderful constituency of Southend and the whole country at large.
"Whilst we grieve together during this tragic time, I will send condolences to his family on behalf of all constituents of Somerton and Frome."
Marcus Fysh MP (Yeovil)
"Sir David was a great parliamentarian with a super positive attitude and infectious sense of fun, who absolutely loved the public he served.
"It is hard to believe that I had dinner with him just weeks ago where he was full of encouragement and wisdom.
"My thoughts are with his family at this incredibly difficult time."
James Heappey MP (Wells)
"I didn’t know David as well as many of my colleagues will have done.
"But I knew him well enough to know he was one of the kindest and most genuine people in Parliament.
"My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, staff and colleagues who knew him best.
"I was very touched by the moving tributes from colleagues in the House and it seems only fitting that the Prime Minister has announced Southend will be granted city status."
Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, who represents Bridgwater and West Somerset, has described Sir David Amess as "a delightfully cheerful optimist who believed in doing things the way he’d always done them".
Discussing the safety of MPs, he said: "I refuse to wear a Kevlar vest, or shelter behind a bulletproof screen.
"The people of Bridgwater and West Somerset deserve an MP they can look straight in the eye and talk to openly.
"The appalling murder of my friend and colleague David Amess has made the safety of all MPs headline news again. But being visible and approachable is a vital part of the job."
Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, who represents North East Somerset, tweeted on Friday, describing Sir David as "a holy man who strove for good".
David Amess was a holy man who strove for good. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and may he have eternal rest.
— Jacob Rees-Mogg (@Jacob_Rees_Mogg) October 15, 2021
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