Sir David Amess Stabbed 21 Times in Shocking Essex Attack
Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, was brutally stabbed 21 times during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex on 15 October. The long-serving politician died at the scene.
Accused Ali Harbi Ali Denies Murder and Terror Charges
26-year-old Ali Harbi Ali is currently on trial at the Old Bailey. He denies both the murder of Sir David and preparing acts of terrorism.
Aides Recall Horror of the Attack
Julie Cushion, a longtime member of Sir David’s team, told the court she heard a “piercing scream” followed by a loud crash inside Belfairs Methodist Church, where the fatal stabbing happened.
“A piercing scream was the first thing I heard. Then a very loud crash which I assumed was furniture going over. I got up and walked through, I assumed something structurally had happened,” said Ms Cushion.
She was the first to call 999 at 12:07 pm after another aide, Rebecca Hayton, came running out shouting that Sir David had been stabbed.
Ms Cushion described the accused’s expression during the attack as one of “self-satisfaction.”
Witness Descriptions Paint Grim Scene
Rebecca Hayton gave a police interview recounting how she saw Ali stand and stab Sir David in the stomach multiple times.
“He leans over and stabs him straight in the stomach. I saw it go in once and as I got up he kept going,” she said. “He seemed relaxed and nice – even smiling during the five-minute meeting.”
After the attack, Hayton ran outside to raise the alarm, returning with Yvonne Eaves and Darren King. Mr Ali was seen standing in the doorway clutching a knife.
Mr King tried to speak to the assailant, but Ali warned him: “Don’t come any closer.”
Ms Eaves described Ali pacing outside looking “like he knew what he’d done” and “wasn’t remorseful.”
Plotting and Motive Revealed in Court
The court heard that Ali had spent years plotting the attack. He researched multiple high-profile politicians including Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, and Sir Keir Starmer before targeting Sir David.
The meeting was moved from Sir David’s secured constituency office to the church community space once coronavirus restrictions lifted, aiming to make the MP more accessible.
Ali had posed as a healthcare worker new to the area, claiming he wanted to meet his MP.
Jurors were also played a 999 call where a witness said Ali threatened to kill four other people after the attack.
CCTV footage showed Ali’s journey from his Kentish Town home in North London to Leigh-on-Sea by train and on foot, passing busy streets and residential areas.
The prosecution described Ali’s ideology as “warped,” driven by revenge over Britain’s foreign policy, including mid-2010s bombings in Syria.
Ali allegedly told bystanders: “I want him dead. I want every Parliament minister who signed up for the bombing of Syria who agreed to the Iraqi war to die.”
