David Amess: Ali Harbi Ali charged with murder and terrorism

The suspected killer of Conservative MP Sir David Amess has been charged with murder and plotting terrorist acts.

Sir David was stabbed to death at a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, last Friday.

Ali Harbi Ali, from north London, was arrested shortly after Sir David was attacked.

Wearing grey prison-issue clothes, Ali made his first court appearance at Westminster magistrates court on Thursday.

He was flanked by two men in suits during the hearing.

The 25-year-old spoke only to confirm his identity and was remanded in custody.

Prosecutor James Cable said the killing of Sir David is suspected of being “influenced by Islamic State”.

He said the terror allegation against Ali is an “associated charge to the murder”, asking the judge to send the case as a whole to the Old Bailey.

It is said the MP was stabbed multiple times during the meeting in front of his assistant, and he died at the scene from multiple stab wounds.

Ali is of Somali descent, and reportedly had trained as a technician in the radiology department at King’s College Hospital in London.

He has not entered any pleas to the charges of murder and preparation of terrorist acts. He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday.

On Monday, Parliament paid tribute to Sir David as it was announced that Southend would be granted city status, in recognition of his decades-long campaign for the seaside town to be given the honour.

On Wednesday, Home Secretary Priti Patel told MPs the threat level for an attack on an MP was being raised to “substantial” after talks between counter-terror police and security services.

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