0:00
0:00
Home Secretary Denies Public Inquiry into Sir David Amess's Murder
Yvette Cooper's decision faced criticism from the family of the late MP, who argue for a thorough investigation into failures surrounding the case.
The Home Secretary has turned down requests for a public inquiry into the murder of Sir David Amess, a Conservative MP, who was fatally stabbed during a constituency meeting in October 2021. In a letter addressed to Sir David's family, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that it would be difficult for an inquiry to extend beyond the findings of the subsequent criminal trial of Ali Harbi Ali, who was convicted in 2022 of murder and terrorism-related offenses.
Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, was attacked by Ali at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, sustaining over 20 stab wounds.
Ali had previously been referred to the Prevent program, designed to deter individuals from engaging in terrorism, seven years before the incident.
He received a whole-life sentence, marking a significant case in discussions surrounding public safety and the effectiveness of counter-terrorism measures.
Following the rejection of the inquiry, Sir David's family expressed their dismay at the government's stance.
Katie Amess, his daughter, described the Home Secretary's response as adding 'salt to an open wound' and expressed feelings of disappointment and betrayal.
She criticized the government for its refusal to investigate the systemic failures that may have contributed to her father's murder, contrasting the situation with public inquiries established after other violent crimes.
Lady Amess, Sir David’s widow, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the inquiry could provide vital answers regarding public safety, not just for MPs but for all citizens.
She characterized the government's refusal as unacceptable and criticized the Home Secretary for her comments in the letter as insulting.
In her correspondence, Cooper noted that a coroner had determined there were no further questions to investigate beyond those addressed in the trial, the Prevent learning review, and forthcoming conclusions from various security and police reports.
She offered to appoint an independent external reviewer to assess the existing investigations but acknowledged that this might not meet the family's expectations.
The government stated that significant improvements have been made to the Prevent program since the time of the attack, and additional protections for MPs have been implemented.
Downing Street reiterated its condolences, acknowledging the tragic nature of Sir David's murder while emphasizing ongoing evaluation of the circumstances surrounding it.
The Amess family is scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary to discuss their appeals further, with Katie Amess specifically intending to advocate on a personal level for a reconsideration of their request for a public inquiry.
Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, was attacked by Ali at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, sustaining over 20 stab wounds.
Ali had previously been referred to the Prevent program, designed to deter individuals from engaging in terrorism, seven years before the incident.
He received a whole-life sentence, marking a significant case in discussions surrounding public safety and the effectiveness of counter-terrorism measures.
Following the rejection of the inquiry, Sir David's family expressed their dismay at the government's stance.
Katie Amess, his daughter, described the Home Secretary's response as adding 'salt to an open wound' and expressed feelings of disappointment and betrayal.
She criticized the government for its refusal to investigate the systemic failures that may have contributed to her father's murder, contrasting the situation with public inquiries established after other violent crimes.
Lady Amess, Sir David’s widow, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the inquiry could provide vital answers regarding public safety, not just for MPs but for all citizens.
She characterized the government's refusal as unacceptable and criticized the Home Secretary for her comments in the letter as insulting.
In her correspondence, Cooper noted that a coroner had determined there were no further questions to investigate beyond those addressed in the trial, the Prevent learning review, and forthcoming conclusions from various security and police reports.
She offered to appoint an independent external reviewer to assess the existing investigations but acknowledged that this might not meet the family's expectations.
The government stated that significant improvements have been made to the Prevent program since the time of the attack, and additional protections for MPs have been implemented.
Downing Street reiterated its condolences, acknowledging the tragic nature of Sir David's murder while emphasizing ongoing evaluation of the circumstances surrounding it.
The Amess family is scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary to discuss their appeals further, with Katie Amess specifically intending to advocate on a personal level for a reconsideration of their request for a public inquiry.
