Sunday October 17, 2021
London (HOL) - Somali community leaders in London said they were shocked and saddened to hear about the murder of British MP David Amess.
Over two dozen of the UK's leading Somali community groups signed a joint statement that condemned the "callous act."
"We express our deepest sympathy and condolences to Sir David Amess's family, loved ones and his constituents. Everyone who knew Sir David Amess described him as 'one of the kindest, most compassionate, and a distinguished public servant' who committed and devoted to serving his community. Sir David Amess promoted our shared values of tolerance, love and respect that make Britain so great."
UK police say that veteran MP David Amess,69, was stabbed several times while talking to voters at a church in a small town east of London called Leigh-on-Sea.
Multiple news organizations have identified the suspect as Ali Harbi Ali, a British citizen of Somali heritage. BBC reported that Ali was referred to the UK's counter-violent extremism program, Prevent, but was never formally a "subject of interest" to MI5.
Police say that as of Sunday, the police are still conducting its terror investigation.