David Amess had said family paid 'big price' for his service as an MP

‘My family pay a big price for me being a member of Parliament’: Haunting video of David Amess discussing the ‘tough impact’ being an MP has on his loved ones is revealed in sixth-former’s documentary for A-level project

• In a clip filmed 10 years ago, Sir David says family ‘pay a big price’ for his service
• Father-of-five was killed carrying out duties as an MP while meeting constituents
• The 69-year-old was known for his dedication and had served as MP since 1983

Sir David Amess who was killed in a terror attack on Friday admitted his family ‘paid a big price’ for his service as an MP in an unearthed interview filmed 10 years ago.

The MP for Southend West died on scene after a knifeman stabbed him multiple times at a church in Leigh-on-Sea on Friday afternoon.

A 25-year-old British man of Somali heritage has been detained under terrorism legislation until Friday and is being questioned as part of the investigation.

In an interview from 2011, David Amess said his family ‘paid a big price’ for his service as an MP

Sir David Amess, 69 (pictured outside his surgery earlier this month), was stabbed ‘multiple times’ by a man as he spoke to constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea

The popular MP, who has served Southend since 1997 after 14 years as MP for Basildon, was killed while carrying out his duties, meeting constituents at a surgery when he was attacked.

The 69-year-old was known for his dedication to the community and to the responsibilities he held as a serving MP. 

Now, it has been revealed in an unearthed interview clip, Sir David admitted his family paid a big price for his work as a member of parliament.

The interview was filmed in 2011 by sixth form student Alex Bright who is now a local Conservative councillor in Southend.

In the video, shared by the Sunday People, Sir David says: ‘You asked me earlier about the impact on one’s private life and how you balance social events with your family – very, very tough indeed.

‘All I will say is – and I speak with some feeling having five children – my family has paid a big price for my being a member of parliament. Of that there is no doubt.’ 

Pictured: Father-of-five David Amess pictured, left, with wife Julia, son David and daughters Katherine and Alexandra and, right, at the wedding of his daughter Alexandra earlier this year

Alex, who filmed the interview as part of while studying at college, told the Sunday People: ‘That quote really stood out – looking back on what has just happened, it’s evident this was true.’

Paying tribute to the MP on Twitter, the young councillor added: ‘I’ve had the privilege of knowing Sir David since I was 16 years old, when I first got involved in the Conservative Party here in Southend-on-Sea.

‘Just two years later, he was generous enough to allow me to interview him for a school project, when I remember his commitment and passion to his role as a Member of Parliament clearly shone through.

‘An old school politician, Sir David was a kind, gentle, religious and deeply committed man – dedicated to both his constituents in Southend West and to the Nation as a whole.

‘He was a first-rate and patriotic Parliamentarian that Southend residents were incredibly lucky to have him represent them. He was an inspiration to those of us in politics and who knew him.

‘Nobody should ever be murdered simply for being a politician. This heinous crime is gut wrenching and leaves an enormous hole in the lives of Sir David’s family, friends, colleagues and constituents, and my thoughts and prayers are with them all.’

This morning, people look at tributes left at the scene near Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea where the popular MP was stabbed to death on Friday

As Sir David’s wife and children grieve privately at home, the MP’s extended family including cousins and second cousins left a note celebrating ‘a great man and member of our family’. 

Outside the scene of the attack, constituents recalled the work the ‘absolutely wonderful’ MP did in his community during his almost 40-year career.

Moira and Pat, cousins of Sir David, wrote: ‘Thinking of your lovely family. Can’t believe this has actually happened. Will always love you.’

The MP’s last act was to help children understand democracy before he was killed.

Sir David spoke to PR professional Richard Hillgrove to discuss the Children’s Parliament, an event where youngsters are matched with MPs, just minutes before the attack, the Sunday Times reported.

Hillgrove’s daughter, 11-year-old Lola, had matched with Sir David and he had visited her at school so she could have her picture taken. 

The newspaper reported Mr Hillgrove ended the Zoom call at 12.02pm, three minutes before the married father-of-five was stabbed.

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