The plea from the family of MP Sir David Amess for a public inquiry into his murder has been rejected by the government. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper addressed a letter to Lady Julia Amess and Katie Amess, stating that an inquiry would not provide additional insights beyond the trial of Ali Harbi Ali, the killer, and the recently published Prevent learning review. This decision sparked strong emotions from Katie Amess, who found Cooper’s response to be “adding salt to an open wound”, considering it “unacceptable” and “insulting.”
The tragic incident occurred when Sir David, a Conservative MP for Southend West, was fatally stabbed more than 20 times by Ali, an individual with extremist inclinations linked to the so-called Islamic State, during a constituency surgery on October 15, 2021. In light of this, Lady Amess called for a reevaluation of the government’s stance, urging Prime Minister and Home Secretary to reconsider their position in a forthcoming meeting. Meanwhile, Katie Amess expressed her profound sadness and betrayal, asserting that the government’s willingness to investigate other similar tragedies while refusing one for her father is unjustifiable.
The Amess family highlighted the fact that Ali had been referred to Prevent seven years before he committed the heinous act that took Sir David’s life at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea. Ali’s subsequent sentencing to a whole-life order at the Old Bailey in 2022 underscored the severity of his actions. Despite their persistent appeals, the family’s request for a public inquiry into the case was met with a resolute rejection by the government. Cooper emphasized that the conclusions drawn from the trial, Prevent learning review, coroner’s report, and ongoing investigations precluded the need for an inquiry beyond the existing scrutiny.
In response to the government’s decision, Lady Amess urged a reevaluation of its position for the sake of public servants’ security and the citizens’ right to transparency when state systems fail. Expressing dissatisfaction with the inadequate answers provided so far, the family sought a full public inquiry to shed light on the circumstances leading to Sir David’s tragic murder. Katie Amess, disillusioned with the lack of progress, aimed to appeal to the human side of Cooper and the prime minister during their scheduled meeting, emphasizing her father’s humanity amidst the political backdrop. The government, acknowledging the improvements made to Prevent since the incident, indicated that significant changes had been implemented to prevent such tragic events in the future
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