David Amess death: Safety of Falkirk councillors to be reviewed after fatal stabbing of MP

Tributes to Sir David, the MP for Southend West, were paid this week, by the leaders of all three political groups on Falkirk Council.

At the council’s first in-person meeting since March 2020 – albeit with some councillors joining online – council leader Cecil Meiklejohn led the tributes to a man who was “well liked across the political divide”.

She said: “He lost his life carrying out a constituency surgery – something that we all do regularly and we don’t really think too much about our own safety – we do it to help our constituents.

“I want to record my sincerest condolences to David’s family and friends who will be devastated by this, and to his colleagues who will also be impacted by the loss and who must be trying to understand why this has happened.”

She added: “It’s dreadful that anyone should lose their life carrying out a job, more so when you choose to put yourself forward for public service and spend a lifetime helping others.”

Labour group leader Robert Bissett said: “Sir David was a well-loved man who gave his heart and soul to his constituency and to lose his life in such tragic circumstances is just appalling.

“I don’t think any of us should be cowed by any act of terrorism, you just continue as you do, being as safe as you can.

“Anybody who takes up public office realises there are some risks.”

The Conservative group leader James Kerr said: “It’s a tragedy that nobody would expect to face when they are going to their work and our condolences go to his family and the wider community that he served.

“There are times when you have surgeries and you are there yourself and it gives you a thought to say – ‘is it safe to go into that area yourself?’

“Our thoughts are with his family.”

Mrs Meiklejohn added: “I have asked officers to do a review of all places that members might hold surgeries and do a risk assessment and provide any guidance and information on that to members.”