David Amess murder trial delayed as three jurors test positive for Covid

It had been due to start on Monday at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, London.
It had been due to start on Monday at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, London.
Jonathan Brady
Samantha Haynes

By Samantha Haynes


Published: 28/03/2022

- 13:19

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 12:00

The defence case for Ali Harbi Ali had been due to start on Monday at the Old Bailey but Mr Justice Sweeney adjourned the trial for a week

The trial of an alleged terrorist for the murder of MP Sir David Amess has been halted after three jurors tested positive for Covid-19.

The defence case for Ali Harbi Ali had been due to start on Monday at the Old Bailey.


However, Mr Justice Sweeney adjourned the trial for a week after learning that some jurors had become sick.

Addressing the remaining panel of nine jurors in a hallway outside court, the judge apologised saying the case was “adjourned” but “not aborted”.

Screen grab issued by Metropolitan Police of of the police interview of Ali Harbi Ali on October 15, 2021, which was shown to the jury at the Old Bailey, London, in the trial of Ali accused of murdering the veteran Conservative MP Sir David Amess as he held meetings with constituents in a church building last year. The 26 year old denies fatally stabbing the MP for Southend West during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on October 15. Issue date: Thursday March 24, 2022.
Screen grab issued by Metropolitan Police of of the police interview of Ali Harbi Ali on October 15, 2021, which was shown to the jury at the Old Bailey, London, in the trial of Ali accused of murdering the veteran Conservative MP Sir David Amess as he held meetings with constituents in a church building last year. The 26 year old denies fatally stabbing the MP for Southend West during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on October 15. Issue date: Thursday March 24, 2022.
Metropolitan Police

He said: “Three of your number have tested positive, one over the weekend and two this morning, with the result we have had to adjourn the trial – not abort it.

“I have adjourned it until next Monday. By Monday I would realistically hope they will be better and that means you are not going to be required at this court when I have finished until next Monday.

“I’m going to ask you please do not go to work unless you absolutely feel you cannot (avoid it) for this reason – I want to keep the risk of any of you testing positive between now and next Monday to an absolute minimum if I can.

Undated handout file photo issued by UK Parliament of Sir David Amess, who died in 2021. Issue date: Tuesday December 28, 2021.
Undated handout file photo issued by UK Parliament of Sir David Amess, who died in 2021. Issue date: Tuesday December 28, 2021.
Chris McAndrew

“As you can imagine with a case of this importance it is vitally important if we possibly can to maintain a jury of 12.

“As today has shown us clearly, Covid is rife at the moment.”

The judge said court staff would confirm to the jury on Friday that they should come back to court next Monday.

Ali, 26, is accused of stabbing 69-year-old Sir David, the MP for Southend West, to death during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea on October 15 last year.

The defendant, from Kentish Town, north London, denies murder and preparing acts of terrorism.

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