Attack on British MPs: assassination triggers security debate

Investigators are now assuming a terrorist background for the fatal attack on Tory MP Amess. The case shakes the British understanding of democracy.

Politics paused for a moment today. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and opposition leader Keir Starmer stood silently next to each other at the scene, commemorating David Amess. Interior Minister Priti Patel and the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle had also come to Leigh-on-Sea, flower arrangements and wreaths were laid. The killing of the longtime MP Amess caused deep consternation, but also a security debate.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood calls for an end to face-to-face meetings with voters. “I would recommend that MPs no longer hold direct citizens’ consultations,” he says. “You can do it via zoom or in other ways. You can achieve a lot by phone, and you can set things in motion much faster than if you wait for the citizens’ consultation hour.”

Memories of previous attacks come up

Ellwood should be particularly close to the current events. Because in 2017 he tried in vain to save the life of a parliamentary policeman after he was stabbed. The whole country also remembers Jo Cox. The Labor MP was attacked and killed in 2016 after a public consultation on the street.

Nevertheless: The Speaker of the House of Commons, Hoyle, advocates staying in direct contact with the citizens. However, it must be possible to ensure more security.

“Nobody wants MPs to hide”

Labor MP Harriet Harman, who knew the late David Amess, takes a similar stance: “I think all MPs appreciate the connection to their constituency. This is what sets us apart from other democracies. We don’t drive around in armored vehicles, we just meet in secure rooms with police presence. ”

“We are out there, everywhere in our constituency, that is important for the voters and for us,” continued Harman. “But with the second dead MP in just five years, we have to think about what we can change. Nobody wants MPs to hide, but we have to agree on how we can create security.”

Police should check security precautions

The Interior Ministry has already instructed the police to review the security arrangements for MPs. On Monday, the topic will also be dealt with in the House of Commons. But the question remains what is possible when the elected representatives are in their constituencies.

Philip Grindell, who advises MPs on security issues, does not believe that in future police officers will be on site at all citizens’ surgeries: “That would be something that very many MPs would not want, not least because citizens also know about the behavior of the police want to speak. And they might not come if they first have to pass a police officer at the door. Apart from that, after all the cuts, the police wouldn’t have the staff to do it. “