‘It’s a meaningless business’: Shock in Leigh-on-Sea for David Amess murder | UK news

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A fittingly gray sky greeted those who attended the scene of the murder of Sir David Amis on Saturday morning, with dozens of well-wishers arriving at Belvers Methodist Church to leave flowers and pay their respects.

“It’s a very bleak day,” said Robert, 69, who lives in the Belviers area of ​​Les-en-Seas, with his wife, Kay, 68. They said they did not want to give a surname because their son was outside the church at the time of the attack and she was shocked. Robert said of Amess: “He was very charitable, very present in the community: he made a tremendous effort to attend all of his surgeries. [He was] Just that kind of guy.”

The conservative deputy was fatally stabbed during an operation in the church on Friday. His appearances in the community and charitable efforts, including on behalf of the Belvers Riding School, which provided riding for disabled people, was a frequent topic in conversations taking place abroad.

“We saw the air ambulance arriving from our garden,” Kay said. “It’s a senseless violent act…Sir David was all you could want from a Member of Parliament and now we’ve lost him.”

Floral greeting and handwritten letter accompanied by David Amis photo. Photograph: Peter Nichols/Reuters

Robert and Kay’s son had an appointment to see Ames at the precinct surgery on Friday, but arrived late to find police preventing him from entering the church. If he had been on time, he would have been inside when the attack began. “He was shocked… had he not been late he might have been there to help,” said Robert.

Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Priti Patel visited Leigh-on-Sea on Saturday morning. The Prime Minister was one of many who left flowers, and laid a wreath outside the church.

The sound of a police helicopter flying over the scene could be heard for much of the afternoon. A police cordon remained in place, closing off approximately 40 meters of Eastwood Road, a short highway in north Les-en-Seas, a small town three miles west of the South End.

“It’s something you would never expect to happen here: It’s more like a village than a city. Everyone knows everyone,” said Julie Swan, 68.

Near the scene, there was a tent staffed by volunteers from the International Charity International Rapid Relief Team. Distributing bacon sandwiches and coffee to police officers and private security personnel, a volunteer said people were being bused from across the Southeast to offer care and sympathy to those affected by the accident.

Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer lay wreaths for Representative David Amis – VIDEO

Many of those who walked Eastwood Road on Saturday were dressed in black or carrying large bouquets of dahlias or white lilies. In addition to the usual scenes of families waiting outside the co-op or post office, four police trucks lined the road.

Trevor Rayner, 65, was one of those who left flowers at the scene. He laid the autumn bouquet on the ground next to the police collar, including a card that read: “The grace of our great master, make you in his loving arms RIP.”

Rainer is a full-time sponsor for his wife. He said Ames has helped his family on numerous occasions and recently sent a text message saying “recover soon” to his wife, who has a long-term illness.

“I’ve known David for 10 years,” Reiner said. “He has seen the best in people, our thoughts go to his friends and family.”

Referring to Jo Cox’s death in similar circumstances during the 2016 EU referendum campaign, Rayner said, “This has happened before. Why doesn’t the government demand more security for MPs?”

He added, “The society is heartbroken.” “The simple question now is why?”

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