Service held to remember MP killed three years ago

A service of remembrance has been held to mark the approaching third anniversary of the death of an MP.

Sir David Amess, a long-serving Conservative MP for Southend West, was fatally stabbed in Leigh-on-Sea by an IS fanatic during a constituency surgery on 15 October 2021.

A memorial service was held at St Peter's Catholic Church, close to where he was killed.

Father Jeff Woolnough said: "It is important to keep his memory alive."

Music from members of The Music Man Project, for which the late MP was president, was played during the service. A reading from the Holy scriptures was also given.

"It isn't a eucharist, it's not a mass, it's something for everyone, so that everyone feels comfortable and can attend," he said.

"This loss has been felt very, very deeply by all kinds of people, so it's important."

Julie Cushion worked for Sir David and was a close personal friend. She was also with him on the day he was murdered.

The impact of the day of his death has been "huge", she said.

"This is in the minds of lots of people, especially mine, and I don't like to remember the day itself, because memories are too harsh for that day," she said.

"But I like to remember the man, and the impact that he made, and him being a close friend."

She added she hoped the service would offer comfort to people affected.

A mass will also be held on Tuesday morning.