British lawmakers gather to mourn David Amess after stabbing police call a likely act of terrorism

published 16 October 2021

British lawmakers, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, gathered Saturday to pay their respects at the Methodist church where David Amess, a lawmaker from Johnson's ruling Conservative Party, was fatally stabbed on Friday while meeting with constituents. Police arrested a 25-year-old man and recovered a knife, and are describing the attack as an act of terrorism. The Metropolitan Police said its early investigation "revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism," but did not elaborate.

Essex police said Amess was treated by emergency responders but died at the scene. Amess, 69, was married and had five children. He had been in Parliament since 1983.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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