Local MPs talk to ITV Border after death of Sir David Amess

A Scottish Conservative MP says security must be bettered but contact with constituents must remain the same in the wake of the death of his friend and colleague Sir David Amess.

David Mundell, the Scottish Conservative MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, says he spoke to the Southend West MP on Friday morning, just hours before he was killed.

Reflecting on the attack, Mundell insists MPs must remain accessible to constituents but lessons should be learnt when it comes to protecting members and their staff.

On Friday, Sir David Amess was stabbed while holding a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea. The attack is being treated as a terrorist incident by the police.

Home Secretary, Priti Patel, says questions are being asked over the safety of members of Parliament, and the speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, confirmed that police are contacting all MPs to check their security.

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said he has received threats and is now looking into his own security arrangements.

Representatives across the Borders region paid tribute to Sir David Amess on Friday.

• Sir David Amess murder suspect named Ali Harbi Ali as three properties searched

• Vow to keep MPs safe after calls to pause in-person meetings

• MP Sir David Amess: Prime Minister visits scene as police confirm fatal stabbing was terrorism