Gateshead MP warns against ‘public discussion for security’ after Sir David Amess death

The MP for Gateshead has warned against a "public discussion about our plans for security arrangements" after the tragic death of Sir David Amess on Friday.

Ian Mearns spoke of his concern about "putting information into the public domain that might be useful to those who might, for whatever reason, have ill intentions towards us".

The Labour MP's statement came after Sir David was murdered on Friday, October 15 whilst meeting constituents in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

The 69-year-old was stabbed multiple times and a 25-year-old British man is being held under the Terrorism Act.

Mr Mearns has issued a statement regarding the safety of MPs

He said: "I really do feel that this is a difficult dilemma facing publicly elected officials of all kinds.

"Of course we want to be accessible for our constituents and we all need to be reviewing our security arrangements and where necessary being able to access additional measures, to protect staff and our constituents.

"Prior to the pandemic I held regular open access advice surgeries where constituents could come along and wait their turn to see me and members of my casework staff.

"In doing so they were often in a crowded waiting room but no one was turned away, but sadly the pandemic put paid to that.

"One of the main duties that an MP can and must do is to listen to their constituents concerns, complaints and frustrations and to try to get solutions for their problems.

"I have continued to meet constituents, online, during the pandemic but my office facilities, currently, make face to face meetings quite difficult and we are searching for solutions to that.

"The sad death of Sir David Amess has once again reminded us of the potential dangers, inherent, within our role. But I would be reticent to have a public discussion about our plans for security arrangements, as we do not want to be putting information into the public domain that might be useful to those who might, for whatever reason, have ill intentions towards us."