The daughter of the late Conservative MP Sir David Amess, Katie Amess, has called for a full investigation into why authorities allegedly failed to protect her father. Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Ms Amess expressed concern that her questions about her father’s safety had not been adequately answered. Her brother had reportedly received a call the night before the attack, saying that Sir David was going to be killed and that this was reported to the police. Ali Harbi Ali went on to stab the Southend West MP during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on 15th October 2021.
The Home Office and Essex Police refused to comment on the matter, citing ongoing legal proceedings. Ms Amess noted that there were questions as to why authorities failed to respond to protect her father after an immediate threat was reported. Even one warning should be enough to require authorities to protect the affected individual, she argued. Ms Amess is also calling for a full investigation and disclosure of how Ali fell through the cracks of national security. Ali had been referred to the government’s counter-extremism programme, Prevent, in 2014 and 2015 when he was a teenager.
Essex senior coroner Lincoln Brookes decided in July 2022 not to resume Sir David’s inquest, which had been adjourned once Ali was charged with murder. In a report explaining his decision, he said there was no evidential basis to consider this attack was possibly preventable so many years later. However, Ms Amess dismissed this argument and called for a full public, open inquest so that lessons could be learned and similar tragedies may be prevented.
Ms Amess had filed a personal injury claim against the Home Office and Essex Police but stated that she could not pursue it due to the significant amount of money required. Essex Police acknowledged that the force was aware of the claim, but that they could not comment further on this matter. The force reaffirmed its commitment to reviewing and advising around security arrangements for the county’s MPs.
Sir David Amess was a famous UK politician who devoted his career to serving his people. He was known for facilitating his constituents’ access to legislative representatives. He was described by his daughter as the hardest-working person she ever met. She noted that her father loved helping people and that he was full of life and passionate. His murder has had a profound effect on her, making it difficult for her to remain in Southend, where she is frequently reminded of his loss
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