October 17, (THEWILL) – The Metropolitan Police said there is a potential link between the murder of parliamentarian Sir David and Islamist extremism.
A 25-year-old British man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer laid flowers at the scene together on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, Counter-terrorism officers are working with Essex Police and the Eastern Region Specialist Operations Unit.
“The fatal stabbing in Leigh-on-Sea has tonight been declared as a terrorist incident, with the investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing,” the Met said. “The early investigation has revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also paid their respects outside the church in Leigh-on-Sea.
The Met said officers are carrying out searches at two addresses in the London area and are not seeking anyone else over the death.
The force believes the man, who is in custody in Essex, acted alone but inquiries into the circumstances of the incident are continuing.
Government sources have told the BBC he is a British national who, from initial inquiries, appears to be of Somali heritage.
Sir David, 69, who represented Southend West, was holding a constituency meeting – where voters can meet their MP and discuss concerns – at Belfairs Methodist Church on Friday when he was attacked at 12:05 BST.
Essex Police Chief Constable BJ Harrington said Sir David was “simply dispensing his duties when his life was horrifically cut short.”
Officers are appealing for anyone with any information or with footage from CCTV, dash cams or video doorbell, to contact them.
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