The man arrested for the murder of Tory MP Sir David Amess has been named Ali Harbi Ali. The 25-year-old, who is a British national with Somali heritage, is not thought to have been previously known to the security services. However, the investigation is still in its early stages and that could change if new details emerge.

The suspect was arrested on Friday at a Methodist church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where the MP for Southend West had been meeting constituents.

His name was published reluctantly by media just hours after it was reported Ali waited calmly at the Church where Amess was stabbed to death before launching his knife attack, then sat down afterwards and calmly waited for cops.

Two female staff watched in horror as the man walked up to the 69-year-old Conservative MP then pulled out a blade. He is said to have stabbed his quarry up to 17 times without saying a word.

Police who raced to the scene recovered a knife before bundling the suspect into the back of a van and driving him away. Local Anthony Finch said he saw the suspect being led out. ‘He was wearing jeans and a white top and was completely quiet,’ he said. ‘He was in his mid-20s and appeared to be getting into the police car willingly. He was compliant.’

Detectives and MI5 were last night trying to establish if he was inspired by Islamic terrorism.

An air ambulance landed in a field near Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. Medics tried to revive Southend West MP Sir David but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Shocked friends and colleagues said it was a planned attack.

Councillor Daniel Nelson told media: ‘We know he stabbed David and waited for the police. It was completely premeditated. He knew he was going to do it.

Sir David is the second MP to be assassinated in five years, following Labour’s Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox, raising further concerns about security for politicians. Earlier this year, he had called for tough action on knife crime following the murder of a young constituent.

In fact, MPs benefit from far greater security than do their constituents who do not live in heavily guarded homes nor are their workplaces as heavily guarded as the Commons.

‘Someone outside told me a woman had come out screaming down the phone, ‘Someone’s been stabbed, please get here soon. He’s not breathing.’

‘There were loads of armed police, an air ambulance and a police helicopter. Obviously, I wondered what the hell was going on. You don’t often see armed police around. ‘I saw the suspect get put into a police van, get taken away and then they cordoned the whole road and pushed us all down the road.

He had also opposed bills furthering LGBT rights, including equal age of consent and same-sex marriage. Last night armed cops remained outside the church. Police appealed for any witnesses with video or dashcam footage to come forward. The force said: ‘We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. Source