Sir David Amess’ alleged killer ‘also targeted Michael Gove and staked out his home before knifing MP to death’
A “COMMITTED terrorist” who “assassinated” Sir David Amess at an Essex church had also staked out Michael Gove’s home, a court heard today.
Ali Harbi Ali, 26, is accused of repeatedly knifing dad-of-five Sir David as the MP hosted a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea on October 15 last year.
The defendant denies murdering the veteran Tory backbencher, as well as a separate charge of preparing acts of terrorism.
But prosecutors alleged he’d been planning an atrocity based on his “warped, twisted and violent ideology” for five years – and had also considered other high-profile targets, including Mr Gove.
He had even visited Mr Gove’s home address, as well as a constituency surgery hosted by MP Mike Freer, it was heard.
On the day of Sir David’s death, Ali allegedly booked an appointment posing as a healthcare worker who was moving to Essex.
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He travelled by train from his home in Kentish Town, north London, specifically to meet the politician, it was said.
After arriving at Belfairs Methodist Church, the defendant used a large knife to stab the 69-year-old to death, it’s claimed.
Sir David, an MP since 1983, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Opening the prosecution case this morning, Tom Little QC alleged Ali had committed “a cold and calculated murder”.
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“This was nothing less than an assassination for terrorist purposes,” he said.
“It is a crime to which, we say, he has no defence.”
Pointing at Ali in the dock, Mr Little alleged the attack had been planned for “years” – adding: “He is a committed, fanatical Islamist terrorist.”
And he said the horror was “no spur-of-the-moment decision”.
“It was not the first time that he had planned an attack or a similar attack,” he said.
“Indeed, he bought the knife five years before for just such an attack.
“He had for a number of years been determined to carry out an act of domestic terrorism.
“To that end, from at least May 2019 he researched and planned potential attacks on Members of Parliament and the Houses of Parliament.
‘ASSASSINATION’
“This included specific reconnaissance trips to a constituency surgery of Mike Freer MP and to the home address of Michael Gove MP.”
He alleged that on the day of Sir David’s death, two witnesses rushed into the church after hearing screams to find Ali shouting: “I killed him, I killed him.”
As they tried to help, Ali allegedly said: “Don’t come nearer. I’ll go and finish him off if he’s not dead.”
Sir David’s death sparked an outpouring of grief around the country. Hundreds of people attended his funeral in November.
His family said in moving tributes that they were “shattered” by their loss.
They added: “As a family, we are still trying to understand why this awful thing has occurred.
‘SHATTERED’
“Nobody should die in that way. Nobody. Please let some good come from this tragedy.”
Following the alleged murder, Southend-on-Sea became England’s 52nd city – a cause Sir David had campaigned for over several decades.
Prince Charles visited the area earlier this month to mark the honour, using the occasion to give a speech about the MP’s death and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The royal met Sir David on a visit to Essex in 2014.
He said: “During that visit we recall our conversation with Sir David Amess. I knew him of course as a renowned and respected parliamentarian and effective campaigner on many national and local issues.
“Among them was his passionate determination to secure city status for Southend.
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“Today we mark the culmination of that dedicated campaign.”
Ali’s trial at the Old Bailey is listed to last for three weeks.