Catholic Union Head of Public Affairs, James Somerville-Meikle, writes:
There are moments in politics when the noise stops, and we are forced to pause and reflect.
The death of Sir David Amess MP today was such a moment.
His murder in Belfairs Methodist Church while conducting a constituency surgery meeting has shocked us all. Those facing the greatest loss are his wife and five children – and we remember them in our prayers.
But we have also lost a dedicated local MP, and our country has lost a fine Catholic parliamentarian.
Sir David was a friend to the Catholic Union and a supporter of many of our campaigns – not least in helping to get places of worship open again during the pandemic.
He was one of the so-called “four knights” – a group of four, knighted MPs who we would often rely on to fight some of our hardest battles in Parliament. When others shied away, Sir David would step up.
He was the knight who fought the good fight, and we will miss him greatly in Westminster.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.