Prime Minister Appeal - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Prime Minister Appeal – THE family of the late Sir David Amess is calling for a Full Statutory Judge Led Public Inquiry into the killing of the former Southend West and Leigh MP.

Prime Minister Appeal – THE family of the late Sir David Amess is calling for a Full Statutory Judge Led Public Inquiry into the killing of the former Southend West and Leigh MP.

THE family of the late Sir David Amess is calling for a Full Statutory Judge Led Public Inquiry into the killing of the former Southend West and Leigh MP.

Sir David’s family held a press conference on March 10 to publicly make the call, ahead of a meeting with the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer and the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper on Wednesday 12 March.

The Amess family sent an invitation to attend their press conference to many may media organisations. In that invitation they said: “15 October 2021 was one of the darkest days in our country’s history when the great parliamentarian Sir David Amess was butchered to death by Ali Harbi Ali in a church, whilst holding a constituency surgery in Leigh on Sea.

“Although Ali was subsequently sentenced to a whole life order for the murder, and a Prevent Learning Review, completed in 2022 was published belatedly in February 2025, a myriad of questions remain as to why the Counter Terrorism authorities and programs failed to stop Ali in his tracks.

“The family also have serious questions regarding the inactions of Essex Police given that a threat to Sir David’s death was reported to Southend Police the day before his murder.

“Surprisingly, as victims of the most serious crime imaginable, Sir David’s family have been passed from pillar to post by Essex Police and the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) and feel totally let down by the authorities.

“The killing of Sir David is just one of a number of such serious terrorist atrocities in the UK, Southport being the latest, where the killer was already known to Prevent and the authorities. Enough is enough.”

The family and their representatives, including former MP for Southend West and Leigh, Anna Firth, held the press conference to outline their case for a full public inquiry, their right to have answers as to why Sir David’s killing was not prevented, discuss the urgent need for improved public safety and address questions from the media.

The current MP for Southend West and Leigh, David Burton-Sampson, is supporting the family and their call for a Public Inquiry. He sent the following letter to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer and the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper.

“Dear Prime Minister and Home Secretary,

“I have the honour to represent the Southend West and Leigh Constituency and Sir David Amess was one of my predecessors. Since my election I have spoken to Sir David’s family, and to many constituents who have been touched by his legacy.

“Whilst the guilt and culpability for Sir David’s dreadful murder is not in doubt, there are many questions that have been raised about what may have been done to prevent this tragedy, and what lessons can be learned.

“I welcome the government’s publication of the Prevent Learning Review, which identified significant failings, now publicly acknowledged, and I welcome the Prevent Commissioner’s review which includes ensuring that all recommendations from the Learning Review have been implemented.

“As you are aware there is also a live police complaint, which must be treated with the utmost seriousness, and must be allowed to come to its conclusion.

“I also welcome the fact that the Home Secretary is appointing an independent external reviewer to assess all the findings of the various investigations and inquiries that have taken or are taking place into the circumstances around Sir David’s death.

“I ask that the person appointed has sufficient seniority and trust to ensure full confidence in their findings, and that they are able to work at pace to bring a measure of closure to this tragedy, either giving Sir David’s family the confidence that they have answers to the questions they have posed or to signpost the next steps needed to achieve this goal.

“I stand with Sir David’s family in their desire to get the answers they need surrounding the circumstances of his death. I do believe that the steps already underway will go a long way towards that. However, if at the conclusion of the current ongoing investigations and the independent review it is felt that there are still unanswered questions, then I trust that the government will leave no stone unturned in order to reach the truth, including, if need be, the commissioning of further investigations or inquiries.

Kind regards,

David Burton-Sampson

Member of Parliament for Southend West and Leigh.”

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