Trial of suspect in murder of David Amess begins

Sir David Amess was murdered during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea. (Photo: Parliament Live)

The alleged suspect in the murder of Catholic MP Sir David Amess is due to go on trial on Monday.

The trial of Ali Harbi Ali, 26, from north London, will take place over three weeks at the Old Bailey.

Ali denies fatally stabbing Sir David, the Conservative MP for Southend West, on October 15.

He also denies preparing for terrorist acts between May 1, 2019 and September 28, 2021.

Sir David died after being stabbed multiple times as he met members of the public inside a Methodist church in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex.

Ali was detained in connection with the murder under terrorism legislation. 

He is accused of taking a train from London on the day of the attack and stabbing Sir David with a large knife inside Belfairs Methodist Church. 

Prosecutor Tom Little QC said: "As far as the Crown is concerned we are ready for the trial, having met the ambitious timetable on time."

News
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures

Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism. 

We are the story still being written
We are the story still being written

The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.

Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas
Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas

International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.

Christian killings in Nigeria could double in 2026 if extremist threat is not dealt with - report
Christian killings in Nigeria could double in 2026 if extremist threat is not dealt with - report

Already more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than all other countries combined.