Daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess to sue police and Home Office for failing to stop terrorist killer
THE daughter of the murdered MP Sir David Amess has launched a legal battle against Essex Police and the Home Office for failing to prevent his death.
The beloved veteran MP was knifed to death by a terrorist while serving his Southend West constituency at a local church in 2021.
The lawyers representing Katie Amess said she was "horrified" by her father's murder and that she wanted to “ensure proper accountability and learning”.
The perpetrator, Ali Harbi Ali, then aged 26, murdered Sir David in a warped retaliation against politicians who voted to bomb Syria.
He was sentenced in 2022 to a whole-life prison term for the murder.
The Old Bailey was told that Ali had been known to authorities and was referred to the Government’s Prevent programme, but continued plotting in secret.
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Daniel Machover, head of civil litigation at Hickman & Rose solicitors, which is representing Ms Amess, said: “Like so many others, Katie Amess was horrified both by the fact of her father’s murder, and the circumstances surrounding it.
“She has issued a claim at court as part of her desire to ensure proper accountability and learning from Sir David’s murder, including for the future benefit of others.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Government takes the safety of Members of Parliament extremely seriously, and significant work has been taken forward in response to the tragic killing of Sir David Amess.
“It would be inappropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”
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An Essex Police spokesman said: “We are aware that what is in effect a protective claim form has been filed at court, however, as these papers have not been served on our force, we are unable to comment any further upon them.
“We remain committed to supporting our elected members across the county in the execution of their public duty and to this end we regularly review and advise around security arrangements for our Members of Parliament.
“Sir David and the Amess family remain in our thoughts.”
Last year, a plaque commemorating Sir David was placed in the House of Commons.
The shield was unveiled by Sir David’s wife, Julia Amess, at a small ceremony attended by family members, as well as Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman.