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Daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess says politicians still at risk five years on

Katie Amess tells BBC that little has changed since her father's killing and calls for public inquiry into MP safety

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Katie Amess, daughter of Conservative MP Sir David Amess who was murdered five years ago, has told the BBC that politicians remain at risk and questioned whether anything has improved since her father's death. She described the past five years as 'absolutely devastating and heartbreaking' and said the threats against members of parliament are not isolated.

Sir David Amess was stabbed multiple times while holding a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in October 2021. The government commissioned a review into his death in August, led by former Conservative justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland, with the aim of reporting within six months to identify lessons and recommend steps to reduce the risk of future tragedies.

Katie Amess has long campaigned for a public inquiry into the safety of politicians, arguing that the full facts should be made public with openness and transparency. She told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that the murder 'wasn't an isolated incident, we are seeing increased threats towards members of parliament.'

The safety of politicians has been a prominent issue following the murders of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016, Sir David Amess in 2021, and former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe in July this year. The man accused of murdering Widdecombe has also been charged with preparing acts of terror, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

Amess, who knew Widdecombe as a family friend, said her death was 'absolutely so tragic and heartbreaking.' She noted that if so much had changed since her father's murder, she questioned why another MP had been killed.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The safety of elected representatives is a cornerstone of democracy; continued threats could deter people from public service.
  • The government's review may shape future security measures for MPs and public engagement with politicians.
  • The deaths of three MPs over a decade highlight a persistent risk that demands systemic change.

Background

Sir David Amess, the Conservative MP for Southend West, was murdered in October 2021 during a constituency surgery, an event that shook British politics. The killing followed the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 and was followed by the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe in July 2026. In August 2026, the government commissioned a review into Amess's death, tasking Sir Robert Buckland with identifying lessons and recommending steps to minimise the risk of future tragedies. Katie Amess has repeatedly called for a public inquiry to ensure full transparency.

Key Perspectives

Katie Amess (family of Sir David Amess): She believes the threats against MPs are increasing and that the system has not done enough to protect them. She wants a public inquiry to provide the full facts and promote accountability. Government and the Buckland review: The review, led by Sir Robert Buckland, aims to learn from the tragedy and suggest concrete measures to improve security for politicians without imposing on their accessibility to constituents. Critics/Skeptics: Some may question whether a governmental review will be sufficiently independent or produce binding changes, especially given that previous tragedies have not prevented further attacks.

What to Watch

  • The publication of Sir Robert Buckland's review, expected within six months.
  • Any new security protocols or legislation introduced for constituency surgeries or MP safety generally.
  • The outcome of terrorism charges related to the Widdecombe case and whether they lead to broader policy responses.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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