The daughter of MP Sir David Amess, who was fatally stabbed at a constituency surgery, says she still has "so many unanswered questions" five years on.
Katie Amess has campaigned for a public inquiry into the murder of the 69-year-old veteran politician, killed by Ali Harbi Ali at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on 15 October, 2021.
Ali was given a whole life order in 2022 for murder and the preparation of terrorist acts. He had previously been referred to the Prevent anti-radicalisation scheme, but his case was closed in 2016.
Ms Amess, 41, said what happened to her father was "just absolutely heartbreaking and completely traumatising".
The government has commissioned an independent review to explore potential missed opportunities to prevent the murder. Led by former Conservative justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland KC, it will examine how the attack occurred, identify lessons, and recommend measures to minimise future risks.
Ms Amess said she welcomed the review and was continuing to press for a public inquiry, where witnesses could be compelled to attend.
“It’s definitely been a frustrating process because obviously I’ve been fighting for five years now,” she said.
“As the victim’s daughter, I shouldn’t have to do that.
“There should have just been an inquiry automatically, straight away.
“Still, five years later, I’m having to plead my case as to why my dad, myself, and the public needs these answers.
“I’m just hoping that (Mr) Buckland does get the answers and if he doesn’t, we’ll just get it through the inquiry.”
She added: “I just want to stress the emotional turmoil that all of this has taken and you would think that after this happened the government would want to help the family of their former colleague of 40 years – but it definitely didn’t play out that way.”
Ms Amess said she continued to fear for the safety of politicians following the killing of Ann Widdecombe at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, in July.
She said Ms Widdecombe, who she calls “aunt Ann”, was her sister’s godmother and she “knew her my whole life”.
“She was best friends with my dad,” Ms Amess said.
“They had so many shared issues together with animals and Catholicism, and just being people who really wanted to help rather than gain political points.
“It’s just such a tragedy that it happened to her as well now.”
She said: “After what happened to dad, she was our family spokesperson.
“She came to Southend and stayed with us and she would talk to the police and talk to the press.
“She did the eulogy at the funeral, she helped plan his funeral, she was just a great source of strength and a beacon of hope for us, so it’s very tragic that now she’s gone as well.”
Speaking ahead of the anniversary of her father’s death, she added: “I can’t believe that it’s been five years.
“It seems like yesterday – but at the same time it seems like many, many years ago since I saw him last.
“It’s definitely hard.”
Ms Amess, who lives in Los Angeles in the US, said she was going to have a mass said for her father and then some friends from church were joining her for dinner.
“Obviously I live in Los Angeles but my family’s in England, so I just want to be around supportive people,” she said.
“I’ve had lots of messages of support already so I know people will be thinking of him and praying for him on the day.”
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