Why was Sir David Amess knighted? Honours and tributes to Southend's murdered MP

The death of Sir David Amess, the MP for Southend West who was killed on October 15, has sent shockwaves across the country.

Tributes to him have been pouring in from all sides of the political spectrum.

They have included commendations to his character, and have applauded the work he did during his time as a public servant.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that Southend would become a city – A cause that Sir David had fought for for much of his time as the constituency's MP.

It is reported that the recommendation that Southend be given the status of city was granted immediately.

People during a candlelight vigil at Belfairs Recreation Ground near to Belfairs Methodist Church, where Conservative MP Sir David Amess died (PA)

A spokesperson for Johnson said: "It is a very rare honour which Sir David campaigned passionately for. He was a tireless champion of Southend, celebrating its achievements, the work of its residents and its thriving local businesses and diversity."

Speaking in parliament on Monday afternoon, to a chamber packed full of MPs paying their respects, Johnson said Amess: "Never once witnessed any achievement by any resident of Southend that could not, somehow, be cited in his bid to secure city status for that distinguished town."

He had previously made claims for city status because the city held the record for the most triangles being played at once.

"That Sir David spent almost 40 years in this house but not one day in ministerial office tells everything about where his priorities lay," said Johnson. “He was not a man in awe of this chamber, nor a man who sought patronage or advancement. He simply wanted to serve the people of Essex, first in Basildon, then in Southend. And it was in the act of serving his constituents that he was so cruelly killed.”

Why was Sir David knighted?

Tributes have been laid outside the church where Sir Amess was holding his surgery (Getty Images)

In 2015 Amess was named in the new year's honours list, for "political and public service". He was knighted by her Majesty the Queen at Windsor Castle, in the Waterloo chamber reportedly with a sword that once belonged to her father, King George VI.

However this wasn't the only award he was given during his lifetime.

In 2011 he was awarded the Animal Welfare and Environmental Champion at the Dods Charity Champion Awards, where his staunch, notable passion and commitment for animal welfare was acknowledged formally.

He was presented with the award by then speaker of the Commons John Bercow. It is given to parliamentarians who have gone above and beyond in combatting issues of animal welfare and the natural environment.

One of Sir Amess's finest political achievements came in the form of the the 1988 Protection Against Cruel Tethering Bill, which protected horses and donkeys against unnecessarily painful methods of tethering or ways that could cause them to suffer.

Sir Amess was a well known lover of animals and devoted much of his career to protecting them. (Corbis via Getty Images)

He was also awarded the 'Outstanding Achievement Award' for his services to charitable work in 2012 at the Charity Champion Parliamentarian reception.