By James Simons-
A man accused of stabbing the Conservative MP Sir David Amess to death has pleaded not guilty to his murder.
Harbi Ali, 25, appeared before the Old Bailey in central London on Tuesday for a pre-trial hearing, where he denied murder.
Amees was the MP for Southend West and had been a parliamentarian for 38 years. His family is still devastated by his loss.
The plea is extraordinary ludicrous because of the vicious nature of the attack which makes his intention to kill abundantly clear.
Some legal experts believe he plans to argue diminished responsibility when the case is heard in full.
Ali is also charged with preparing acts of terrorism between May 1 2019 and September this year, when it is said he carried out reconnaissance of addresses linked to MPs as well as the House of Parliament in Westminster.
Ali is accused of plotting a terror attack between May 1, 2019 and September 28 this year by “engaging in reconnaissance of locations of targets to attack, including addresses associated with Members of Parliament and the Houses of Parliament”.
It is said he also “engaged in internet research relating to targets to attack”.
At the Old Bailey on Tuesday, Harbi appeared in the dock to deny both charges, speaking only to confirm his identity and enter his pleas.
Amess, 69, was attacked in October while holding a constituency surgery at a church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
He was pronounced dead at the scene after an attack that sent shockwaves through Westminster and led to a tightening of security for MPs.
Ali travelled by train from his home in Kentish Town, north London, to get to Belfairs Methodist Church after making a midday appointment by email, claiming he was moving to the area.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) alleges the murder has a terrorist connection because of its “religious and ideological” motives.
Ali is accused of being affiliated with the so-called Islamic State proscribed terrorist organisation and targeted Sir David over the MP’s voting record in support of air strikes on Syria.