By Ben Kerrigan-
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has paid tribute to murdered MP Sir David Amess, ahead of his funeral on Monday.
Boris Johnson’s comments comes ahead of a funeral and procession to take place in his constituency of Southend later today, before a service at Westminster Cathedral featuring a message from the Pope on Tuesday.
Sir David was repeatedly stabbed while holding a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea on October 15, when he died despite the efforts of the emergency services.
Ali Harbi Ali, 25, has been charged with his murder.
Mr Johnson told Sky News: ‘He was a guy who campaigned about things he really cared for whether it was animal welfare, people who suffered from endometriosis, which he brought to widespread public attention, or campaigning against fuel poverty.
‘He showed what you can achieve as an MP to change lives of people up and down the country and he will be much, much missed.’
The PM also paid tribute to Sir David’s ‘posthumously successful’ to make Southend a city.
Mourners will be able to pay their respects to the father-of-five at Monday’s private ecumenical service at St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell, where friend and colleague Mark Francois is to deliver a eulogy.
The MP’s friend, former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, who spent the night with the late Mps family will read a statement on behalf of the Amess family.
Sir David was repeatedly stabbed while holding a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea on October 15, when he died despite the efforts of the emergency services.
Ali Harbi Ali, 25, has been charged with his murder and also with preparing acts of terrorism between May 1 2019 and September 28
It is due to pause outside Southend’s Civic Centre and again outside Sir David’s constituency office, Iveagh Hall, before returning to the chapel of rest.
He said that Sir David’s family ‘understand there are many others in the city who knew and loved him’, and have agreed for the service to be broadcast on local radio station BBC Essex.
Mr Gilbert said people can pay their respects to Sir David by lining the streets as the hearse passes and by writing in the book of condolence at the Civic Centre before it closes at 7pm on Monday.