Katie Amess marks five years since father Sir David's murder, calls for public inquiry
Katie Amess, daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess, is still pushing for a public inquiry five years on. She also paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe's role in supporting the family.
Five years on, daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess renews call for public inquiry
The daughter of Sir David Amess, the Conservative MP stabbed to death at a constituency surgery in October 2021, says she still has "so many unanswered questions" half a decade after his killing — and is continuing to demand a full public inquiry into the circumstances of his death.
Katie Amess, 41, also spoke to the Daily Express about the close friendship between her family and the late Ann Widdecombe, describing the former politician as "a great source of strength and a beacon of hope" in the aftermath of her father's murder.
Sir David, 69, was killed by Ali Harbi Ali at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on 15 October 2021. Ali was convicted in 2022 and received a whole life order for murder and the preparation of terrorist acts. It later emerged he had previously been referred to the Government's anti-radicalisation scheme Prevent, though his case was closed in 2016.
The Government has since commissioned an independent review to examine missed opportunities that could have prevented the killing. Former Conservative justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland KC will lead the review, with the aims of establishing how the murder was able to occur, identifying lessons to be learned, and recommending measures to reduce the risk of future tragedies.
Katie Amess said she welcomed the review but stressed it did not go far enough. In a full public inquiry, witnesses could be legally compelled to give evidence — something an independent review cannot guarantee.
"It's definitely been a frustrating process because obviously I've been fighting for five years now," she said. "As the victim's daughter, I shouldn't have to do that. There should have just been an inquiry automatically, straight away. Still, five years later, I'm having to plead my case as to why my dad, myself, and the public needs these answers."
She added: "I just want to stress the emotional turmoil that all of this has taken, and you would think that after this happened the Government would want to help the family of their former colleague of 40 years — but it definitely didn't play out that way."
On Ann Widdecombe, whom she refers to as "aunt Ann", Katie Amess described a lifelong connection. Widdecombe was godmother to her sister and had been a close friend of Sir David for decades. "She was best friends with my dad," she said. "They had so many shared issues together — animals, Catholicism, and just being people who really wanted to help rather than gain political points."
Following Sir David's murder, Widdecombe served as a family spokesperson, travelling to Southend to be with the Amess family, liaising with police and the press, delivering the eulogy at the funeral, and assisting with its planning.
"She was just a great source of strength and a beacon of hope for us," Katie Amess said, "so it's very tragic that now she's gone as well." Widdecombe died at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, in July.
Katie Amess, who now lives in Los Angeles, said the anniversary remains deeply difficult. "I can't believe that it's been five years. It seems like yesterday — but at the same time it seems like many, many years ago since I saw him last."
She said she planned to mark the day by attending a mass said in her father's name, followed by dinner with friends from church. "Obviously I live in Los Angeles but my family's in England, so I just want to be around supportive people."
She also said she remains concerned about the safety of elected representatives in the wake of both deaths. Sir David's killing prompted widespread debate about the security arrangements afforded to MPs at public-facing events.
Source: Daily Express