Tory MP Sir David Amess has died after being stabbed severally while holding a constituency surgery in Leigh, police have confirmed.
The Southend West MP was holding a surgery at the Belfairs Methodist Church, in Eastwood Road North, when a man ran into the church, according to the Southend Echo.
The newspaper reported Mr Amess was then stabbed “several times”.
Police in Essex said that the suspect was a 25 year old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered from the scene. The police force added that they were not putting efforts into looking for someone else in connection with the attack.
Police say he was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene
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The 69-year-old had been a Member of Parliament since 1983 and has started by representing Basildon before moving to Southend West in 1997.
Armed police were also on site, with a large cordon in place around the church and down the street.
Members of the public had gathered at the scene, with one man comforting a woman outside.