Family upset as man 'spits' on murdered MP's statue

The family of Sir David Amess have told of their upset after a TikToker uploaded a video of him appearing to spit on the statue of the murdered MP.

Essex Police said it had received a report about the incident on Wednesday. The video has since been taken down.

A spokesman for the Amess family said: "To see his memorial treated in this way is deeply upsetting."

The Conservative MP for Southend West was stabbed multiple times while holding a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in October 2021.

Ch Insp David Browning said: "An investigation was launched last night. This morning, we're pursuing a number of targeted lines of inquiry.

"We recognise the concern and upset that the content of this video may cause within the community."

Spokesman Radd Seiger said the family welcomed the police investigation.

"David believed passionately in freedom of expression and the right to disagree," he said.

"He understood that people would hold different political views, sometimes profoundly so.

"But disagreement should never be an excuse for abandoning basic standards of decency and respect.

"David was murdered because of the extremism of another individual. Five years on, his family continues to live with the consequences of that terrible loss."

Witham MP Dame Priti Patel said: "This is a sickening and disgusting act committed by a vile individual.

"Sir David was respectful, kind and a powerful advocate for free speech and expression. He always debated political differences with dignity.

"To disrespect his life and legacy in this way is dreadful."

Sir David, 69, had been an MP since 1983 and was married with five children. He was the second serving MP to be killed in five years, following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.

His statue was unveiled near the Chalkwell Lifeguards base in April 2024.

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