The fatal stabbing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex on Friday has been declared as a terrorist incident, with the investigation being led by counter terrorism policing, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, had formally declared the incident as terrorism.
The early investigation has revealed “a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism”, the force said.
A 25-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder is currently in custody at an Essex police station.
As part of the investigation, officers are currently carrying out searches at two addresses in the London area, the Met said.
The force believe the man acted alone and are not seeking anyone else in connection with the matter at this time but inquiries into the circumstances of the incident are continuing.
The investigation is being led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command who are working with the Eastern Region Specialist Operations Unit (ERSOU) and Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police said.
It said formal identification is yet to take place, but the victim has been identified as Sir David Amess and specialist officers are supporting his family.
Witnesses, or anyone with information about the incident are urged to contact police.
