West Ham sends condolences after murder of supporter

West Ham sends their condolences after the shock and sad murder of supporter MP Sir David Amess in Leigh-on-Sea on Friday.

The Premier League club took to its official social media channel on Twitter to pay their respects after news confirmed Amess was stabbed multiple times while holding a constituency surgery, before dying at the scene.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder and carrying out the terror attack, with Amess unfortunately the second MP to be killed in just over five years, after the death of Jo Cox.

“We are shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Sir David Amess, a lifelong West Ham United fan. The Club sends its deepest condolences to Sir David’s family and friends.”

The 69-year-old Tory politician was born in Plaistow in 1952, a stone’s throw away from the Boleyn Ground.

Amess attended St Anthony’s Junior and Infant School, then St Bonaventure’s Grammar School (now St Bonaventure’s Catholic School) on Boleyn Road in Forest Gate.

In 2016, Amess attended the last game the Bolyen Ground saying after the game: “Last night, the ‘Hammers’ fulfilled my wildest expectations by leaving Upton Park in a blaze of glory!

“It was a truly thrilling match and, certainly, events on the pitch were a credit to football.

“As a young boy, I vividly recall England winning the World Cup and the three West Ham players, Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters, being pivotal to that victory.

“It was an absolute pleasure to meet Martin Peters last night and for the two of us to celebrate West Ham leaving Upton Park on a winning note. I am forever blowing bubbles!”

“It was an absolute pleasure to meet Martin Peters last night and for the two of us to celebrate West Ham leaving Upton Park on a winning note. I am forever blowing bubbles!”

The Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, said the killing would “send shock waves across the parliamentary community and the whole country. In the coming days we will need to discuss and examine MPs’ security and any measures to be taken, but for now, our thoughts and prayers are with David’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Dominic Raab, the justice secretary and deputy prime minister, tweeted: “Heartbroken that we have lost Sir David Amess MP. A great common-sense politician and a formidable campaigner with a big heart, and tremendous generosity of spirit – including towards those he disagreed with. RIP my friend.”

The health secretary, Sajid Javid, said he was devastated. “A great man, a great friend and a great MP killed while fulfilling his democratic role. My heart goes out to Julia, his family, and all who loved him. Let us remember him and what he did with his life.”

Labour’s Lisa Nandy, the shadow foreign secretary, said she was finding it difficult to comprehend the news. She said: “Sending all my love to David’s family and friends. It’s unimaginable to think what they must be going through.”

Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, called it “a truly terrible day for British politics”, while Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said politicians were “united in sadness and shock”.

Boris Johnson honoured an MP he called “one of the kindest, nicest, most gentle people in politics”, who had “an outstanding record of passing laws to help the most vulnerable” people. “All our hearts are full of shock and sadness today,” he said.

Flags outside the Houses of Parliament were half-mast as a mark of respect. The leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, said it was a “dark and shocking day”, calling Amess a “dedicated public servant”. He said: “David had a profound sense of duty, that I witnessed first-hand in parliament.” The Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, called Amess’s death “a truly terrible day for British politics”, and said he sent his prayers to those who loved him.

As West Ham sends condolences after the murder of their loyal supporter, Twitter users also gave their reaction…

@RorkesXDrift: @WestHam James Brokenshire, MP for Bexley and Sidcup and previously Hornchurch, who sadly passed away last week after a battle with lung cancer, was also a lifelong West Ham fan and had attended many matches over the year.

@BelindaJayneKen: I remember David when I was a steward at West Ham in the late 80s, such a tragic incident and a totally horrible thing for someone to do to another human being, so sad and rest in peace Sir David Amess.

@OpulentCockney: Sending my thoughts and prayers to his friends, his family and all affected. Rest in peace Sir David

@OlliePaoloWHU: Rest in peace, Sir David

@adrianbold: A tragic waste of life. Thoughts with his family and friends. RIP, Sir David.

@guitardave74: Shocking and awful! R.I.P. Sir David. 😪

@whu_info_: Rest in peace, Sir David 🙏❤️

@carrpettu: So sad! ⚒⚒⚒

@ZaynafamilyMary: Can we please have a min silence for Sir David. He was born in Plaistow and would have served Newham if he had won an election there. He is one of our own. A thoroughly decent man who served Essex boldly and campaigned for animal rights. A great MP one of the best.💔🙏🏼⚒

@jonnytelstra: Dreadful news. Those who incite hatred through their words should hang their heads in shame.

@bundy201065: A proper Essex guy. Born in Plaistow, moved out to suburban Essex. Spoke his mind and treated everyone fairly. A real people’s MP, and more than that a Hammers fan ⚒️ #RIPDavidAmess

@Westwood_05: Knew Sir David was a Hammer & sadly, tragically today finding out what an absolute gent & human being the man was. So horrible x⚒