Killer of Sir David Amess planned to die at the hands of armed officers

Ali Harbi Ali, 25, was today (April 11) convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of repeatedly stabbing Sir David on October 15, 2021, and of a second offence of preparing acts of terrorism.

He had used a false address to deceive the MP’s staff that he lived in the local area and made the journey from London to Leigh-On-Sea armed with the large kitchen knife that was used in the attack.

During the trial, jurors at the Old Bailey heard how ahead of the fatal attack, Ali claimed he wanted to discuss foreign policy but instead pulled a large knife from his pocket and stabbed Sir David in the stomach.

Two members of the public heard Ali admit to the killing and he also threatened to stab witnesses – which prevented them going to the MP’s aid. He told them the attack had been planned and that he wanted to kill every MP who voted for bombings in Syria.

When police arrived, Ali rushed towards them in an attempt to be shot and killed. Instead, once he realised the first officers on the scene were unarmed, he heeded their command to drop his knife and allowed himself to be arrested.

Nick Price, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Sir David’s murder was a terrible attack on an MP as he went about his work. But it was also an attack on our democracy, it was an attack on all of us, an attack on our way of life.

“This was a horrific act of terrorism motivated by religious and ideological beliefs. Ali chose to commit this abhorrent crime for his own selfish and hateful reasons. There is no place for terrorism in our society and we will continue to prosecute these acts to the full extent of the law.

“Our thoughts today remain with the family and friends of Sir David. Their pain and suffering do not end with this conviction.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Dominic Murphy, Head of Operations for the Metropolitan Police Service’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Sir David Amess was a dedicated public servant who was greatly respected and admired by everyone in his local community, and amongst his peers. His senseless murder shocked and appalled the nation.

“Sir David’s family have been left utterly devastated, but they have shown remarkable courage and dignity throughout the investigation and this trial. I want to give a special mention to the two Essex Police officers who were first to respond to the 999 call, and brought what was a terrifying incident under control. They showed immense bravery in walking into this situation unarmed, and their decisive actions ensured no-one else could be hurt.

“I also want to highlight the incredible bravery of the members of the public who tried to help Sir David. Following the murder, our officers worked extremely hard and at pace to firstly ensure there was no existing threat linked to the attacker, and then to put together a compelling package of evidence which showed his extremist mind-set, and the lengths he went to in order to plan and commit the attack.”

“This senseless murder was a stark reminder that terrorism very much remains a threat. Counter terrorism officers across the UK are working around the clock to deal with this threat, and the help of communities remains vital to the efforts of police and other agencies involved in public safety and national security.”

Ali had plotted to carry out an act of terrorism for some time. Detectives analysed Ali’s devices, and found that Ali had downloaded extremist Daesh propaganda online as early as 2016 – when he says he had become radicalised and wanted to travel to Syria to fight for terrorist groups there.

From May 2019 he researched and planned attacks on MPs and the Houses of Parliament. This included specific trips to a constituency surgery of Mike Freer MP and the home address of Michael Gove MP.

Following his arrest, a note he wrote to his family and friends explaining why he had committed this crime was found on his phone. In the moments immediately before the attack he sent this note to them. A further note was also discovered on his phone, created in May 2019, which outlined his plans for another attack.

On his home computer there were multiple searches and webpage results relating to MPs and their surgeries. Investigations showed that Ali undertook reconnaissance near Mr Freer’s surgery on September 17, 2021, and Mr Gove’s home address on four occasions in March and June 2021.

A staff member at one of Mr Freer’s surgeries identified a man who matched Ali’s description as staring into the building. CCTV footage also captured Ali performing reconnaissance of the area around the Houses of Parliament on September 16, 20 and 22, 2021.

He will be sentenced at a later date.