Sir David Amess Stabbed in ‘Terrorist Assassination’ at Surgery
Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, was brutally stabbed during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on 15 October. The attacker, 26-year-old Ali Harbi Ali from London, repeatedly stabbed Sir David in what the jury at the Old Bailey heard was a cold-blooded “assassination for terrorist purposes.”
‘Radicalised Islamist Terrorist’ on Trial
Prosecutor Tom Little QC described Ali Harbi Ali as a “radicalised Islamist terrorist” who carried out the killing due to a “warped and twisted and violent ideology.”
“This was nothing less than an assassination for terrorist purposes,” said Mr Little. “It is a crime to which, we say, he has no defence.”
Moments before the stabbing, Ali’s phone made a sound and he said “sorry” before launching a vicious, frenzied attack. The post-mortem revealed Sir David suffered 21 stab wounds, including defensive injuries on his hands.
Chilling Motive and Shocking Aftermath
Ali had booked the appointment under false pretences, claiming he was moving to the area. The court heard he appeared “relaxed and chatty” just before the brutal assault around midday.
Two people arriving for the next surgery overheard cries for help from Sir David’s aides while Ali waved a bloody knife, shouting “I killed him, I killed him.” He then shouted to 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.”
During a phone call after the attack, Ali reportedly said:
“I’ve done it because of Syria. I’ve done it because of the innocent people. I’ve done it because of the bombing. He deserved to die.”
When confronted by police, he refused to drop his knife and said he “wanted to be shot” and “wanted to be a hero.”
Extensive Terror Planning Exposed
The court heard Ali had long planned an act of domestic terrorism, researching a list of 523 MPs who voted for airstrikes in Syria. He made reconnaissance visits, including six trips to Michael Gove’s home in west London.
His phone data placed him near the Houses of Parliament multiple times in 2021 – described by the prosecution as clear terrorist planning.
Ali was initially confronted not by armed officers but by two brave plain-clothed Essex Police officers armed only with a baton and incapacitant spray, who faced him inside the building.
The defendant, from Kentish Town, north London, appeared in court wearing a black robe and glasses. The prosecution confirmed mental health issues would not form any part of his defence. The trial continues.
