Tribute to Sir David Amess MP from Moray and Banff and Buchan colleagues
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A LOCAL MP has spoken of his shock at the "tragic and senseless" killing of Conservative colleague Sir David Amess.
Sir David (69) was stabbed to death at a local constituency surgery in his Southend West seat on Friday.
The House of Commons paid tribute to him on its return from the October recess this afternoon.
David Duguid, the MP for Banff and Buchan, told the Banffshire Journal: "Everyone who knew and worked with Sir David in his 38-year parliamentary career has commented on his kindness, generosity and integrity.
"A little over five years ago, we were all equally shocked at the gruesome attack on someone just going about their business as a Member of Parliament – Jo Cox.
"I never knew Jo but, by all accounts, she was every bit as principled and dedicated to her constituents as Sir David.
"Jo is famously and repeatedly quoted as saying, “We are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us.”
"This is something I have come to appreciate in my time as a Member of Parliament.
"It is a genuine honour and a privilege to be selected to represent a community as your MP – a feeling I believe is shared by all MPs of all parties."
He described Sir David as the "quintessential constituency MP".
"All MPs of whichever political party spend the bulk of our time engaging with and assisting those constituents that need our help.
"We have office staff of course, without whom the sheer volume of casework would be impossible to manage.
"And each case is confidential, so not something you would hear MPs discussing in public, but something every one of us, and our staff, spend most of our time working on.
"Which makes it even more tragic that he was killed doing what he loved most – making himself available to his constituents to provide advice and assistance."
Mr Duguid said there will be many questions about the circumstances of his death and the security of elected officials.
"I am determined to continue engaging with communities around Banff and Buchan and I remain available for face-to-face surgeries – something I have returned to in recent months having been limited to only virtual engagement through the pandemic," he said.
Mr Duguid also paid tribute to former colleague James Brokenshire who passed away following a battle with lung cancer.
"Although we knew that James had lung cancer and was due to undergo further surgery, it was still a surprise to hear that someone so young (53), and who had never smoked, had succumbed to the disease.
"I’m saddened by the loss of friends and colleagues but The House of Commons – and politics in general – is also poorer for the loss of these great Parliamentarians."
Sir David had been a close friend of the previous Conservative MP who held the Banff and Buchan seat, Sir Albert McQuarrie.
Mr Duguid first met Sir David in 2017.
"He actively sought me out and offered his friendship and assistance to me as the new MP in his friend’s old seat."
David kept in touch with Albert until his own passing in 2016 – almost 30 years after leaving parliament.
"And when Albert’s widow, Rhoda, passed in 2019, I had the sad task of telling Sir David the news."
Moray MP Douglas Ross (Conservative) added: “When I first met David Amess he greeted me with his beaming smile; when I last saw him, less than 48 hours before his murder he had the same smile across his face.
“First elected as an MP in the year I was born, David was very much an established and respected parliamentarian when I was elected in 2017 but he went out of his way to make me feel welcome. His office was two doors down from mine and he invited me round with some fellow newly elected MPs to get to know us. It was the kind of generosity that not every MP shows, but David was not like every MP. He was unique. A kind, generous, witty, man who loved people, his constituents and Parliament.
“In the last week I got to know him even better as part of a delegation he led to Qatar. He was a superb leader of the group, and I’m sure his presence helped secure a high-level visit for our delegation to meet with the Emir and the father Emir. Other visits ranged from World Cup venues to refugee camps. Sir David ensured we challenged our hosts on issues such as workers’ rights and female representation on the Shura Council.
“He also made sure every member was included. He could have led every session himself, but he wanted everyone on the delegation to have their own opportunity during the visit. There was also some down time between visits where David was always the centre of discussions. He kept us entertained with his stories of nearly four decades in office but also with his plans for the future. Plans which were so cruelly cut short when evil visited his constituency surgery last week.
“David died doing the job he loved, helping his constituents and carrying out his public duty.
“David leaves his wife Julia and their five children who are in my thoughts and prayers right now. As are his staff who clearly loved working for this great man. Some of whom were with him at his surgery and witnessed the awful tragedy.
“I am proud to say David was a valued colleague and a friend. He will be sorely missed by everyone who had the honour of knowing him.”
