Heartbroken widow of Sir David Amess says he would have ‘greeted the murderer with a smile’

MP’s family released an emotional statement following the sentencing of his killer on Wednesday

The widow of Sir David Amess has said that she is heartbroken to know that the MP “would have greeted the murderer with a smile of friendship”.

Describing the veteran politician’s final moments, Lady Amess said Sir David “would have been anxious to help” his assailant – who gained access to the MP’s constituency surgery by pretending to be an NHS worker moving to Essex.

“How sickening to think what happened next,” she said. “It is beyond evil.”

Lady Amess and her family released a statement as Sir David’s killer was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

Conservative MP David Amess with his pugs, Lily and Boat, at the Westminster Dog of the Year competition (PA)

In the comments, which were read outside the court by Matt Jukes, assistant commissioner for specialist operations at the Metropolitan Police, the family described the grief they experience each day.

They said: “There is no elation in our family today following this sentencing. Our amazing husband and father has been taken from us in an appalling and violent manner. Nothing will ever compensate for that.

“We will wake each day and immediately feel our loss. We will struggle through each day for the rest of our lives.

“Our last thought before sleep will be of David. We will forever shed tears for the man we have lost. We shall never get over this tragedy.”

Sir David Amess leads the way in a pancake competition between the House of Commons and the House of Lords (PA)

Isis fanatic Ali Harbi Ali was given a whole-life sentence on Wednesday for murdering the Conservative politician.

He stabbed Sir David more than 20 times at the MP’s constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in October last year.

At the Old Bailey, Judge Sweeney said: “This was a murder that struck at the heart of our democracy.”

Sir David’s family submitted witness impact statements to the judge, to help with his sentencing decision, but these were kept private at their request.

The family, speaking through a statement issued by the police, later thanked the two officers who had apprehended Sir David’s attacker after the incident.

Lady Amess is comforted by her family after a memorial service for Sir David at Westminster Cathedral (PA)

“Our thanks go to the police, in particular the two officers assigned to the family during this dreadful time,” they said. “Our thanks also to the legal team who worked so tirelessly to ensure that justice was done.

“Our special thanks also to the many, many friends and family, and, of course, the general public, who have been a source of so much strength and love to us since David died.

“Somehow, we now have to move on with our lives, although none of us really knows where to begin.

Lady Amess went to view flowers and tributes to her late husband at the scene of his death (PA)

“We would refer to the statement made by our family immediately after this tragedy. Our message remains the same. We appeal to everyone to treat their fellow human beings with kindness, love and understanding. This is needed more than ever now.

“We now ask for privacy to rebuild our lives as best we can. There will be no further statements, interviews or indeed any comment. We ask the media to respect this. Thank you.”