Daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess taking legal action against police and Home Office
The daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess, who was attacked while hosting a constituency surgery, is taking legal action against Essex Police and the Home Office.
Katie Amess has filed a personal injury claim at the High Court as lawyers said she wants to “ensure proper accountability and learning” from her father’s murder.
The veteran Conservative MP, 69, was stabbed to death by Ali Harbi Ali, then aged 26, at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in October 2021.
The father of five had been holding a surgery in his Southend West constituency.
Ali, a homegrown terrorist who murdered Sir David in a warped retaliation against politicians who voted to bomb Syria, was sentenced in 2022 to a whole-life prison term for the murder.
The Old Bailey was told Ali had been known to authorities and was referred to the government’s Prevent programme, which is intended to tackle the causes of terrorism, but continued plotting in secret.
Daniel Machover, head of civil litigation at Hickman & Rose solicitors, which is representing Ms Amess, said: “Like so many others, Katie Amess was horrified both by the fact of her father’s murder, and the circumstances surrounding it.
“She has issued a claim at court as part of her desire to ensure proper accountability and learning from Sir David’s murder, including for the future benefit of others.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The government takes the safety of members of parliament extremely seriously, and significant work has been taken forward in response to the tragic killing of Sir David Amess.
“It would be inappropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”
An Essex Police spokesman said the force is “aware” of the claim and was “unable to comment any further upon them”, but added: “Sir David Amess was a thoroughly committed public servant who worked tirelessly for his community.
“In the immediate aftermath of his murder, two of our heroic unarmed officers ran into the face of danger, trying desperately to save him and of course detaining his killer.
“Sir David and the Amess family remain in our thoughts.”