Sir David Amess: Anti-terror police search London homes

Police continue to question Ali Harbi Ali who has been detained under the Terrorism Act
Tammy Hughes18 October 2021

Anti-terror police continued to search properties in London on Sunday after the Met was given more time to question Sir David Amess’ suspected killer.

Officers stood guard outside Ali Harbi Ali’s council flat in an upmarket street in north London.

The neighbourhood is popular with celebrities. Broadcaster Giles Coren and Labour leader Keir Starmer live just a short walk away.

Ali was arrested on Friday after Sir David was stabbed to death at a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, in Essex.

Officers are looking into links with Islamic extremism after extremist material was allegedly found on Ali’s phone.

Police also continued to search another address on Lady Somerset Road, in north-west London, and Ali’s childhood home in Croydon.

One neighbour told Mail Online that Ali went to school in Croydon and moved out when he “was about 16 or 17-years-old”.

“He worked for the health service - he told me so - but in what capacity I don’t know. I think one of his sisters also works for the NHS. They are a lovely family,” he said.

“His mum and sisters helped my wife and I during lockdown, they went and got my shopping when I needed it and my medication. They’d do anything to help us.”

Police Investigate North London Residence Linked To MP Murder Suspect
Getty Images

The Met confirmed that they searched three properties on Saturday. One is completed, the others are ongoing.

Ali is being held at a London police station under the Terrorism Act 2000 and officers have until 22 October to question him.

The suspect, who is a British citizen but has Somali heritage, is believed to have been known to the government’s Prevent scheme.

The scheme is the UK’s terrorist prevention programme and aims to stop radicalisation.

In a statement, Scotland Yard said: “Late on Friday, whilst in police custody, the man was subsequently further detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and he is now being held at a London police station.

“On Saturday, detectives were granted a warrant of further detention at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, allowing them to keep the man in custody until October 22, when the warrant expires.

“As part of the fast-paced investigation, officers have attended three addresses in the London area and conducted searches. One of these searches has concluded and the others are ongoing. A post-mortem examination has taken place today.”

The Met confirmed that the early investigation has revealed “a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism”.

Hundreds of people attended a candlelit vigil in Leigh-on Sea on Saturday evening to commemorate Sir David’s life.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said “protection” for MPs while they are holding talks with constituents was one of the options being considered under a “whole spectrum” of measures to address safety concerns in the wake of the Southend West MP’s killing.

Ms Patel said discussions were under way with MPs about extra measures that might be required, with each representative contacted by their local police force since the attack in Essex.

Sir David, who had been an MP since 1983, was stabbed several times during a “very distressing” incident at a constituency surgery in Essex.

Sir David Amess death
Hundreds of people attended a candlelit vigil in Leigh-on Sea on Saturday evening to commemorate Sir David’s life
PA

Speaking outside Southend police station, the Home Secretary said face-to-face MPs surgeries would continue.

“We will carry on,” she said.

“We live in an open society, a democracy. We cannot be cowed by any individual or any motivation… to stop us from functioning, to serve our elected a democracy.”

Tory veteran Sir David, who was described by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as “one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics”, had been an MP since 1983 and was married with five children.

The attack on Sir David came just five-and-a-half years after Labour MP Jo Cox was killed by a far right extremist in her Batley and Spen constituency in West Yorkshire.

The Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said police were contacting all MPs to check on their security in the wake of Sir David’s killing.

Detectives are urging any witnesses or anyone with information about Sir David’s death to contact police. If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please call police in confidence on 0800 789 321.

Anyone with moving footage or pictures is asked to submit them via the UK Police Image Appeal website.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in