Sir David Amess: House of Commons to fall silent in tribute to 'the perfect MP'
MPs pay tribute to Sir David Amess as they return to the House of Commons
The House of Commons will "come together" on Monday to pay tribute to MP Sir David Amess in a "show of unity", the Commons Speaker has said.
The Commons will meet on Monday afternoon where tributes for Sir David, who was fatally stabbed in his constituency on Friday, will take place for most of the afternoon and then a church service.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle told ITV News: "This is us standing up for democracy, we believe in freedom and democracy.
"It's not a show of defiance, it's a show of unity," the speaker said, for a politician he described as: "The perfect MP... the people's MP."
Sir David's family on Sunday said their "hearts are shattered" by the Conservative MP's "cruel and violent death".
In a written message, his loved ones spoke of their devastation, but insisted the killing "was not the end of Sir David Amess MP".
MPs will on Monday pay tributes followed by a church service."His faith was so important to him, but he brought all faiths together," the speaker said."He was a very strong Roman Catholic but he also reached out to all faiths to unite and bring them together. That's why it is so tragic."
Sir David was stabbed while meeting constituents on Friday in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
Ali Harbi Ali, a 25-year-old British citizen, was arrested at the scene and is currently being questioned by counter-terror police. The Met has confirmed the stabbing was a terrorist incident.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Doyle said Monday will be a "difficult" but "important day."
"It is about David, a friend, a colleague and a friend to all across the house. He united the house with his humour, his friendship and the way that he came across.
"He was the perfect MP, he was the people's MP."
In a statement on Sunday Sir David's wife, four daughters and son said: “Strong and courageous is an appropriate way to describe David. He was a patriot and a man of peace.
“So, we ask people to set aside their differences and show kindness and love to all. This is the only way forward. Set aside hatred and work towards togetherness.
“Whatever one’s race, religious or political beliefs, be tolerant and try to understand.
“As a family, we are trying to understand why this awful thing has occurred. Nobody should die in that way. Nobody.”
After Home Office questions has finished on Monday, the Prime Minister will move a motion for the adjournment, which will enable parliamentarians to open the tributes session.
This is expected to last until 5.30pm.
After tributes have concluded in the chamber, there will be a procession led by the Speaker to a service of prayer and remembrance for Sir David in St Margaret’s Church, next to Westminster Abbey.
Due to limited space, the event will be open only to MPs and peers.
In addition to the service, the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, situated under the historic Westminster Hall, will be open to all staff for private prayer in the morning, with communal prayers to be led by both Reverend Hillas and Roman Catholic duty chaplain Canon Pat Browne at intervals during the afternoon.
A book of condolence will be placed in the House of Commons Library for members to sign, with further books also placed in Westminster Hall and in Portcullis House for all parliamentary staff to record their tributes.
On Wednesday, there will be an opportunity for MPs to pay tribute to former Cabinet minister James Brokenshire, who died from lung cancer earlier this month, following Prime Minister’s Questions.