Counter-terror police are leading the investigation into the fatal attack on the Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed multiple times at his constituency surgery.

Sir David, the MP for Southend West in Essex, was killed on Friday at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, and a British man of Somalian origin was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Paramedics tried for two hours to save the 69-year-old father-of-five, but he died of his injuries and figures across the political spectrum have paid tribute to the “irreplaceable” MP.

Essex Police said a 25-year-old man was arrested, and officers were not looking for anybody else in connection with the incident.

A witness who described seeing the suspect being taken away by the police – who are still seeking to establish a motive – said he was calm and compliant.

Ben-Julian Harrington, Chief Constable Essex Police: “It will be for investigators to determine whether or not this is a terrorist incident.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed Amess’ murder thusly:

The prime minister was one of all party colleagues praising veteran conservatives. They “died after being attacked by member surgery” as “true gentlemen” and “decent” family men.

And there was a rebellion that the MP should not succumb to an “attack on democracy” by refusing to meet voters in person in the future.

Back to Downing Street to address the shocking news of the Cabinet Absence Day in Bristol, the Prime Minister said:

He said death “came after nearly 40 years of continuous service to the Essex people and Britain as a whole.”

“The reason people are so shocked and sad is, above all, that he was one of the kindest, finest and most calm people in politics,” he said.

“He also had an excellent record of passing the law to help the most vulnerable people.”

The Westminster flag is half-masted as a tribute to the 69-year-old who has been a member of Parliament since 1983.

Former MEP and Conservative Commentator Nigel Farage had this insight into the lack of security given to British government officials:

Our MPs need security. As an MEP, my profile was higher than most MPs, but when I asked the Home Office for help they refused.

Private security was paid for by sponsors — otherwise I would have been assaulted every day.

MPs need a full time, trained guard on all public duties.

— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) October 15, 2021

Because the world has become more volatile, not less.

Back in 2018, London Mayor Sadiq Khan banned knives in the city because of an increased uptick in violence involving some version of the cutting implement. Here’s the thing about knives versus guns: they do damage much more quickly, and as long as the stabber wants to stab, the instrument will keep working. With guns, no matter how much capacity is in a magazine, you still ultimately run out of bullets and have to reload. There is also that possibility of malfunction, which has given law enforcement and those confronting violent gun assailants that split second needed to take him or her down.

Britain has banned both knives and guns, but this did not stop a young Somalian intent on doing violence from using a knife against Sir David Amess.

Along with rethinking security for their elected officials, Britain might want to rethink its restrictive laws. A person intent on evil will use whatever tools are at their disposal, laws be damned.