British MP David Amess’ Murder Suspect Held under Terrorism Act

Police held, on Sunday, the man who stabbed British MP Sir David Amess to death under the Terrorism Act.

Whitehall officials told the BBC that the man being held was Ali Harbi Ali, a British man of Somali origin.

Ali was referred to the counter-terrorist Prevent scheme some years ago, but was never a formal subject of interest to MI5, according to the BBC. Officers have until Friday to question him.

Police said a man, who was held on suspicion of the MP's murder in Essex on Friday, was now being held at London police station after being rearrested under the Terrorism Act.

Officials do not believe anyone else was involved in the attack.

Tributes to Sir David have been pouring in from politicians as well as his local constituents.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer visited the church where lawmaker Amess was fatally stabbed while meeting with constituents, hours after his killing was declared a terrorist incident.

Johnson described him as "one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics", with an "outstanding record of passing laws to help the most vulnerable".

In the same vein, members of Southend-On-Sea's Muslim community said, in a joint statement, his death was an "indefensible atrocity" and that Sir David would be remembered for his warmth, selflessness and kindness.