Southend to become a city in honour of Sir David Amess – PM makes announcement as he leads tributes to killed MP

Published

3 years ago

October 18, 2021

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told MPs that Southend-on-Sea will be given city status – a long-running campaign of Sir David Amess – as he led tributes to the murdered MP.

Mr Johnson described Sir David as a “steadfast servant” of the House of Commons, a “prodigious campaigner” for his chosen causes, and a “dear friend and colleague”.

The 69-year-old was “one of the nicest, kindest, and most gentle individuals ever to grace” the Commons benches, the prime minister added as he opened MPs’ tributes to the late Southend West MP on Monday.

MPs share fond memories of murdered colleague – live updates as Queen grants Sir David Amess’s campaign wish

“Sir David was taken from us in a contemptible act of violence, striking at the core of what it is to be a member of this House,” Mr Johnson said.

The prime minister also remembered the MP’s enduring efforts to secure city status for his constituency, which were a frequent feature of his interventions in the Commons.

“He never once witnessed any achievement by any resident of Southend that could not, somehow, be cited in his bid to secure city status for that distinguished town,” Mr Johnson said.

“Highlights of that bulging folder included a world record for most triangles being played at once; a group of stilt-walkers travelling non-stop from the Essex coast to Downing Street; and a visiting foreign dignitary allegedly flouting protocol by saying he liked Southend more than Cleethorpes.

“A compelling case and, as it is only a short time since Sir David last put that case to me in this chamber, I am happy to announce that Her Majesty has agreed that Southend will be accorded the city status it so clearly deserves.”

Sir David “was not a man in awe of this chamber, nor a man who sought patronage or advancement”, but “simply wanted to serve the people of Essex”, the prime minister said.

He added: “This country needs people like Sir David, this House needs people like Sir David, our politics needs people like Sir David.

“Dedicated, passionate, firm in his beliefs but never anything less than respectful for those who thought differently.”

Sir David was stabbed to death on Friday as he held a constituency surgery – where MPs’ offer face-to-face meetings with constituents – at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

A 25-year-old man, who Sky News understands is Ali Harbi Ali, was arrested at the scene of the attack on suspicion of murder.

Speaking in the Commons on Monday, Mr Johnson vowed that “we will never allow those who commit acts of evil to triumph over the democracy and the parliament that Sir David Amess loved so much”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer echoed the prime minister’s words as he urged MPs to ensure that “the hatred that took Sir David’s life will never win”.

“Even as a political opponent he was a man and a politician we could all learn much from,” Sir Keir said.

“I use that phrase – ‘political opponent’ – very deliberately. Because David held his beliefs passionately but gently.

“I believe that not only can we learn from that but that we have a duty to do so. Civility in politics matters.”

Labour MP Stephen Timms, who himself was stabbed at a constituency surgery in 2010, said of Sir David’s killing that the Commons would “rightly reflect on what more we can do to stop that happening again”.

“I wonder if we might ask the police to review our appointment lists ahead of each surgery, for example,” he said.

“But we mustn’t give up on the accessibility of MPs. If we do, the sponsors of those who attacked David and who attacked me will have succeeded. That must not happen.”

Kim Leadbeater, the sister of murdered MP Jo Cox and who now sits in the House of Commons herself, said: “Today is about David and his family, along with his staff, colleagues and community he served so well, the service he gave and the support we should show all of them in the coming days, weeks and months.

“It is up to us to make sure that we do because I know more than most that they will need it and the powerful difference that it will make to them.”

Two of the most emotional tributes to Sir David came from his parliamentary neighbours and Conservative colleagues; Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois, and Rochford and Southend East MP James Duddridge.

Mr Francois described Sir David as his “best and oldest friend in politics” and, as his voice cracked with emotion, as “quite simply the best bloke I ever knew”.

He also proposed “David’s law” to crackdown on abuse of politicians on social media, especially from anonymous users.

Mr Francois told MPs that Sir David “was appalled by what he called the vile misogynistic abuse which female MPs had to endure online and he told me very recently that he wanted something done about it”.

Mr Duddridge described to MPs a story of how Sir David, a Catholic, once accidentally had a boiled sweet blessed by the Pope.

He also thanked the prime minister for announcing that Southend will be made a city, saying “it means a lot to everybody, it really does”.

Prior to the tributes from MPs, a minute’s silence was held in honour of Sir David in both the Commons and House of Lords.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle described the circumstances of the MP’s death as “despicable”.

And he added they “raise the most fundamental issues about how members of this House are able to perform their vital democratic responsibilities safely and securely”.

“I give the House my undertaking I will do everything in my power to ensure that these issues are treated with urgency and with the sense of priority that they deserve,” Sir Lindsay told MPs.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said that a review of MPs’ security, in the wake of Sir David’s killing, would be concluded “over the next few days”.

On Monday evening, Mr Johnson and Sir Keir led a procession of MPs from the Commons to St Margaret’s Church, beside Westminster Abbey, for a service of remembrance for Sir David.

It was due to include a reading by Sir Lindsay and an address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

Politics

Parliament urged to begin mandatory DBS criminal record checks on new MPs and peers

Published

5 hours ago

January 4, 2025

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Parliament urged to begin mandatory DBS criminal record checks on new MPs and peers

MPs and peers could be forced to submit to criminal record checks under proposals submitted by a new Labour MP.

In a letter seen by Sky News, Jo White urged the leader of the Commons to examine whether a new committee set up to modernise parliament should force all new members to have checks due to their access to young and vulnerable people.

She suggests in-depth background checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service – commonly known as DBS checks – as the initial stages of introducing MPs to parliament.

Candidates are currently banned from running to be an MP if they have been jailed for more than a year in the UK.

However, there is no requirement for DBS checks, something most other jobs require when applying for positions working with vulnerable people.

Ms White previously submitted an early-day motion on this issue, with cross-party signatures including 13 other Labour MPs supporting her motion.

In her letter to the committee, the Bassetlaw MP writes: “It is a privilege that, as parliamentarians, we can work with local schools, care homes and hospitals, but we must be proactive in preserving this trust.

“Implementing a mandatory check would protect both the people we visit and ourselves. It would be key to maintaining public trust and high workplace standards across the estate and in our constituencies.”

DBS checks are standard practices for GPs, nurses, teachers and other professions. They let potential employers know if a candidate has a criminal record or is banned from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Many local authorities already run DBS checks on elected officials but it’s not standard practice in parliament.

Prospective MPs can stand for election despite having a criminal record or appearing on the child-barred list or adult-barred list unless they have served a prison term over 12 months.

In fact, they do not need to disclose any criminal behaviour to the public prior to becoming a candidate.

The main vetting process before entering the House of Commons is done through political parties, who set their own rules for carrying out any such checks.

None of the Reform UK MPs have signed the early-day motion and leader Nigel Farage said last election there was “no vetting” of candidates.

This has already caused some controversy.

One Reform MP, James McMurdock, was jailed 19 years ago for repeatedly kicking his then girlfriend, according to court documents disclosed by The Times.

The South Basildon and East Thurrock MP attacked her in 2006 while drunk outside a nightclub and spent 21 days in a young offenders’ institution.

He had not publicly disclosed the conviction and described it as a “teenage indiscretion” when asked about the incident last year.

Under new rules, new MPs might have to fully disclose their criminal past.

The creation of a modernisation committee was a Labour manifesto promise and now sits as a cross-party group tasked with reforming House of Commons procedures and improving standards.

The committee said it would not be commenting on submissions until it’s had time to fully consider all options, but is due to publish an initial report early this year.

Politics

Nigel Farage rejects Tommy Robinson after support from Elon Musk

Published

5 hours ago

January 4, 2025

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Nigel Farage rejects Tommy Robinson after support from Elon Musk

Nigel Farage has said Tommy Robinson “won’t be” joining Reform UK after Elon Musk showed support for the jailed far-right activist on social media.

The billionaire owner of X, who has spoken positively about Reform UK and is reportedly considering making a donation to the party, has been critical of the government’s handling of child sexual exploitation across a number of towns and cities more than a decade ago.

While the Reform UK leader described the billionaire owner of X as “an absolute hero figure, particularly to young people in this country”, he distanced himself and his party from Robinson, who is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court.

Mr Musk endorsed the far-right activist and claimed Robinson was “telling the truth” about grooming gangs, writing on X: “Free Tommy Robinson”.

Speaking to broadcasters ahead of the start of Reform UK’s East Midlands Conference tonight, party leader Mr Farage did not directly address Mr Musk’s comments, but said: “He has a whole range of opinions, some of which I agree with very strongly, and others of which I’m more reticent about.”

He went on to say that having Mr Musk’s support is “very helpful to our cause”, describing him as “an absolute hero figure, particularly to young people in this country”.

He continued: “Everyone says, well, what about his comments on Tommy Robinson? Look, my position is perfectly clear on that. I never wanted Tommy Robinson to join UKIP, I don’t want him to join Reform UK, and he won’t be.”

Later on GB News, Mr Farage added that Mr Musk “sees Robinson as one of these people that fought against the grooming gangs”.

“But of course the truth is Tommy Robinson’s in prison not for that, but for contempt of court,” he said.

Mr Farage added: “We’re a political party aiming to win the next general election. He’s not what we need.”

How did Elon Musk become involved?

The online campaign from Mr Musk began after it emerged that Home Office minister Jess Phillips had denied requests from Oldham Council to lead a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in the borough, as the Conservatives had done in 2022.

In a letter to the authority in Greater Manchester, Ms Phillips said she believes it is “for Oldham Council alone to decide to commission an inquiry into child sexual exploitation locally, rather than for the government to intervene”.

An Oldham Council spokesman previously said: “Survivors sit at the heart of our work to end child sexual exploitation. Whatever happens in terms of future inquiries, we have promised them that their wishes will be paramount, and we will not renege on that pledge.”

Mr Musk posted on X multiple times about the scandal, and claimed Sir Keir Starmer had failed to bring “rape gangs” to justice when he led the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In 2013, Sir Keir introduced new guidelines for how child sexual abuse victims should be treated and how a case should be built and presented in court.

The SpaceX and Tesla boss also endorsed posts about Robinson.

Robinson, who is 42 years old and whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, admitted at Woolwich Crown Court in October to breaching an injunction banning him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee schoolboy, after he was successfully sued for libel in 2021.