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Katie Amess says questions remain five years after Sir David Amess's killing

Ahead of the fifth anniversary of Sir David Amess's murder, his daughter Katie says she still has "so many unanswered questions" and is pressing for a public inquiry, while welcoming a government-commissioned review. She also paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe, killed in July.

3 outlets · 1L · 1C · 1R First reported Account updated
Image: Evening Standard
Image: Daily Mirror
Image: Daily Express

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The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2Katie Amess, daughter of the murdered Conservative MP Sir David Amess, says she still has "so many unanswered questions" five years after his death. Mixed · 2Sir David, 69, was stabbed to death by Ali Harbi Ali at a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on 15 October 2021. Centre · 1Ali was convicted in 2022 and given a whole life order for murder and preparing terrorist acts; he had been referred to the anti-radicalisation scheme Prevent, but his case was closed in 2016.

Mixed · 2The Government has commissioned an independent review, led by former Conservative justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland KC, into missed opportunities that could have prevented the murder, lessons to be learned and steps to reduce future risk. Mixed · 2Ms Amess, 41, welcomed the review but continues to press for a public inquiry in which witnesses could be compelled to attend, saying: "I'm just hoping that (Mr) Buckland does get the answers and if he doesn't, we'll just get it through the inquiry." Mixed · 2She called the process "frustrating", said an inquiry should have been held "automatically, straight away", and said the Government, which she expected to help the family of its former colleague of 40 years, did not.

Mixed · 2She said she continues to fear for politicians' safety after Ann Widdecombe was killed at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, in July. Mixed · 2Ms Amess described Ms Widdecombe, whom she calls "aunt Ann", as her sister's godmother and her father's best friend, who became the family's spokesperson, helped plan and gave the eulogy at the funeral, and was "a great source of strength and a beacon of hope". Mixed · 2Ms Amess, who lives in Los Angeles, said she would have a mass said for her father on the anniversary, followed by dinner with friends from church.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Daily Mirror (PA copy) leads with Ms Amess's tribute to Ann Widdecombe, while describing her as campaigning "tirelessly" for a public inquiry.
Emphasis
Widdecombe's role for the family; the campaign for an inquiry.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention Prevent referral or Ali's conviction details.
Charged language
“tirelessly”“beacon of hope”
For example
“his daughter Katie has been campaigning tirelessly for a public inquiry” — Daily Mirror

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Evening Standard leads with the "unanswered questions" and the inquiry campaign, then the Widdecombe tribute.
Emphasis
Inquiry, Prevent history, Buckland review.
Leaves out or plays down
Little beyond Ms Amess's own account; no government response.
Charged language
“unanswered questions”
For example
“Daughter of MP Sir David Amess still has ‘unanswered questions’ five years on” — Evening Standard

Right1 outlet

Framing
Daily Express leads with the personal bond between Widdecombe and the Amess family.
Emphasis
Widdecombe's friendship with the family; also includes Prevent background and the inquiry call.
Leaves out or plays down
No government response to the inquiry call.
Charged language
“Inside Ann Widdecombe's close bond”
For example
“Inside Ann Widdecombe's close bond with family of murdered MP Sir David Amess” — Daily Express

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