The family of murdered MP Sir David Amess has expressed their outrage over the rejection by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper for their calls for a public inquiry following his tragic death. According to Cooper, the inquiry would not provide any additional information beyond the findings of the trial of Ali Harbi Ali, the man convicted of murdering Sir David, and the conclusions from the recent Prevent learning review.
Sir David Amess, who served as the Conservative MP for Southend West, was brutally stabbed to death on October 15, 2021, during a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea. His killer, Ali, who identified with the ideology of the Islamic State, was later sentenced to serve a whole-life order after being found guilty of both murder and preparation of terrorist acts.
The rejection of the inquiry was formally communicated to the Amess family through a letter on March 6, 2025, details of which became public on March 10, revealed Katie Amess, the slain MP's daughter. She condemned the letter as "adding salt on to an open wound" and described her emotional response as one filled with sadness, betrayal, pain, and heartbreak.
At a press conference, Katie expressed her dismay, stating, “How can the government justify holding inquiries for other tragic events like Southport and Nottingham yet refuse to investigate the very system behind my father's death?” This rhetorical question underlines her frustration at what she perceives as hypocrisy within the government's handling of similar tragic incidents.
During the press conference, Lady Amess, Sir David's widow, voiced her disappointment over the refusal, calling for the Prime Minister to reconsider the decision and to include Sir David's murder within the scope of the public inquiry planned for the Southport killings. "He must go away and reconsider the government's position, and call us back to confirm the inquiry will be granted," she stated emphatically, highlighting the necessity for accountability and scrutiny.
Cooper's response stated there had already been extensive investigations following Sir David's death, and it was "hard to see how [an inquiry] would be able to go beyond what has been reviewed" during the criminal trial and other investigative efforts. The letter also mentioned the coroner's prior analysis, which suggested no additional questions remained to be answered through another inquiry.
Katie Amess, reflecting on her father's legacy, issued a heartfelt plea to the government. She shared poignant memories and grievances, stating, “When this happened to my father, we were six weeks away from my wedding. His suit was never worn for my wedding but used for his funeral instead." Such personal reflections are aimed at reminding officials of the human cost of political decisions and the need for compassion and recognition.
She continued with her passionate appeal, asserting, “His murder has left an unimaginable void in my family's life.” She underscored her belief in accountability for the authorities, urging them to accept responsibility for the failures leading up to her father's murder. "His death was entirely preventable – and where do you go from there?" she lamented.
The government's rationale against the inquiry faced backlash not only from the Amess family but also from fellow politicians. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp asserted the need for continued examination of the failures surrounding the Prevent program, emphasizing there are still questions to be addressed through inquiry.
Downing Street responded to the rejection by stating, “Sir David Amess's murder was an awful tragedy. Our thoughts continue to be with his family and friends.” They acknowledged the improvements made to the Prevent strategy since the attacker was referred to it seven years earlier, insisting significant reforms had taken place.
At the upcoming meeting scheduled for March 12 between the Amess family, the Prime Minister, and the Home Secretary, Katie Amess expressed her hopes for her father's tragic situation to be viewed with humanity rather than as merely political. “I am just going to plead my case and pray to God they'll have a change of heart and realize my dad was not just a political figure, but he was human," she said. With emotional resilience, she aims to shine light on the government's obligation to prioritize the safety and dignity of public servants.
Friends of Sir David also joined the family’s call for accountability, articulately urging officials to reflect on their approach toward the safety of Members of Parliament. Katie Amess rightly questioned the message being sent to potential would-be attackers if such inquiries are deemed unnecessary for high-profile cases like her father’s. “What kind of message is it sending to other potential terrorists planning attacks now if you won’t even do an inquiry?” she reasoned.
With the public watching these developments closely, the Amess family continues to battle grief as they search for answers and accountability. They assert their struggle is not solely for justice for their father but for the safety of all public servants and to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. The Amess family's fight remains emblematic of the broader discourse surrounding governmental responsibilities toward those who serve society leading to thoughtful reflections on public safety and accountability.