MPs have observed a minute’s silence in memory of their murdered colleague Sir David Amess.
The Speaker’s chaplain Tricia Hillas led specially written prayers before asking a sombre and busy Commons chamber to rise to commemorate the Conservative MP for Southend West.
Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, asks for a minutes silence in the chamber of the House of Commons.
House of Commons
She told the chamber: “May the bright memory of his rich life ever outshine the tragic manner of his death.”
Most of the scheduled parliamentary business on Monday has been postponed in order to enable both the House of Commons and House of Lords to pay tribute to Sir David, who was killed in a knife attack on Friday.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, opening business in the chamber, said: “The circumstances of Sir David’s death are despicable and raise the most fundamental issues about how members of this House are able to perform their vital democratic responsibilities safely and securely.
“In light of the ongoing police investigation I will not say more about the events, but I give the House my undertaking I will do everything in my power to ensure that these issues are treated with urgency and with the sense of priority that they deserve.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “His killing is a terrible and sad moment in our history, an attack on our democracy and an appalling tragedy.
“We are all thinking of David Jr and his family.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to lead a two-hour session dedicated to tributes to Sir David from 3.30pm.
