Sir David Amess: Commons clears timetable for Monday tributes

The House of Commons has cleared its timetable for Monday to dedicate the majority of the afternoon to paying tribute to murdered MP Sir David Amess.

At least two hours will be set aside for politicians to share their memories of the Conservative MP for Southend West, who was killed in a frenzied knife attack on Friday. He had been an MP for almost 40 years.

Boris Johnson is expected to lead the tributes in the House of Commons at 2.30pm. Before the start of business, there will be specially written prayers led by the Speaker’s chaplain Tricia Hillas followed by a minute’s silence.

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle will then make a statement setting out arrangements for the day.

After Home Office questions has finished, the Prime Minister will move a motion for the adjournment, which will enable parliamentarians to open the tributes session, which is expected to last until 5.30pm.

The rest of the timetable for the day will be rescheduled, with Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg to make a business announcement later in the week.

The plan had initially been to give a second reading to the Judicial Review and Courts Bill on Monday, but GB News understands it will be pushed back to later this month.

After tributes have concluded in the chamber, there will be a procession led by the Speaker to a service of prayer and remembrance for Sir David in St Margaret’s Church, next to Westminster Abbey, starting at 6.00pm.

Due to limited space, the event will be open only to MPs and peers.

In addition to the service, the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, situated under the historic Westminster Hall, will be open to all staff for private prayer in the morning, with communal prayers to be led by both Reverend Hillas and Roman Catholic duty chaplain Canon Pat Browne at intervals during the afternoon.

A book of condolence will be placed in the House of Commons Library for members to sign, with further books also placed in Westminster Hall and in Portcullis House for all parliamentary staff to record their tributes.

On Wednesday, there will be an opportunity for MPs to pay tribute to former Cabinet minister James Brokenshire, who died from lung cancer earlier this month, following Prime Minister’s Questions.