Sir David Amess’ loved ones are gathering to say goodbye to him at an emotional funeral service in his beloved Southend West constituency.
The nation was left in shock as the Tory MP, 69, was stabbed to death while meeting locals in Essex on October 15.
The private funeral at St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell is strictly invitation only but it will be followed by a bigger service at Westminster Cathedral on Tuesday.
A statement from the devastated Amess family will be read today by the father-of-five’s friend former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe.
His friend and colleague Mark Francois will also deliver a eulogy at the service, led by Reverend Paul Mackay and Rev Monsignor Kevin William Hale.
A horse-drawn hearse will carry his casket on a procession through Southend where hundreds of people are expected to line the streets.
It is due to pause outside Southend’s Civic Centre and again outside Sir David’s constituency office, Iveagh Hall, before returning to the chapel of rest.
Ian Gilbert, leader of Southend Council, has said Monday will be an ‘incredibly emotional day’.
He added that Sir David’s family ‘understand there are many others in the city who knew and loved him’, and have agreed for the service to be broadcast on local radio station BBC Essex.
It comes after Boris Johnson paid tribute to the ‘kind-hearted’ politician, saying he ‘showed what you can achieve as an MP to change lives of people up and down the country’.
Cabinet members are said to have broken down in tears when the prime minister broke the tragic news to them last month.
Mr Johnson told BBC Essex: ‘Everybody was absolutely devastated. We were all sitting around. I then got called out and got given the news.
‘I had to go back in to tell Cabinet colleagues, many of whom had known David for decades, and I’m afraid several colleagues broke down in tears because it was just an appalling piece of news.
‘I think we were also very shaken by the implications of what had happened, and the fact his life had been tragically ended in the way that it was.’
Sir David’s family have requested that donations are made to the charities that he supported in place of flowers or other tributes.
These include The Dog’s Trust, The Music Man Project, Prost8, Endometriosis UK, and the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue.
Ali Harbi Ali, 25, is accused of murdering Sir David as well as preparing acts of terrorism. He will enter pleas next month.
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