A statement from James Duddridge MP, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East, following the whole-life sentence handed to the killer of Sir David Amess:
“The entire Southend community was shocked when David was murdered, and still is.
“It was painful to hear the details of his final day, narrated during the trial. This will always be remembered, but the strongest memories will be of the happier, funnier times.
“David’s joyfully inappropriate sense of humour, generosity of spirit and his unquenchable desire to fight for both his constituents and neglected, sometimes unpopular, causes.
“The City of Southend has consciously tried to move forward, to be positive and to celebrate City Status that David fought so hard for.
“Southend West selected, and elected, Anna Firth as David’s successor and she has, in the true ‘Amess way’, already declared that Southend should be the 2029 City of Culture.
“David would have been amazed to see what an impact he has made.
“May you rest, not in peace, but in the knowledge, you have left such a big legacy behind. Thanks neighbour.”
