Sir David’s killing has rattled the town, and its reverberations have been felt throughout the political system
The Conservative backbencher — who began his term as a Thatcherite MP in 1983 — was murdered by Ali Harbi Ali, a British citizen of Somali roots who had made an appointment to see him at his constituency office in Leigh, east of London.
Ali traveled 50 miles from his home in north London last Friday, waited calmly in line for his turn, and stabbed the 69-year-old Amess. He then waited by the body for police to come.
The killing shocked Britain, with many noting that the “lone-wolf” style that Ali used is essentially unstoppable. But the reaction across Britain’s Jewish spectrum was a sign of Amess’s friendship for both Israel and the Jewish community.
“David was a true man of faith who showed great love for all religions,” said Lord Stuart Polak, of the Conservative Friends of Israel. “He loved visiting Israel and specifically Jerusalem.”
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