The MP for Maldon has paid tribute to his friend and fellow Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed to death as he met constituents at a surgery in Essex on Friday (15 October).

John Whittingdale praised Sir David as an MP who "embodied all that was best about the Essex man", adding that he "championed many causes".

Mr Whittingdale also welcomed prime minister Boris Johnson's announcement that Southend will become a city in honour of Sir David, who campaigned for this "at every opportunity".

He said: "I can say, on behalf of my constituents in Chelmsford, how delighted we are that Essex now has two cities".

Sir David, 69, who was the MP for Southend West, was stabbed multiple times on Friday afternoon at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea during a regular meeting with his constituents.

He was treated by emergency services but died at the scene.

Ali Harbi Ali, 25, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and continues to be detained under the Terrorism Act.

MPs observed a minute's silence in the House of Commons on Monday (18 October) before delivering speeches in tribute to Sir David, who was married with five children.

Mr Whittingdale first met Sir David shortly after his historic election as MP for Basildon in 1983.

He told the House of Commons that he got to know Sir David while working for Margaret Thatcher in 10 Downing Street and that "most of all, he loved his constituents and the people that he was so proud to represent".

He said: "He was patriotic, he came from a working-class background, he was devoted to his family, he was passionately independent."

Sir David was elected to represent Southend West in 1997 - his constituency was just a 30 minutes' drive from Maldon.

"A number of times I spoke for him at events and he spoke for me," Mr Whittingdale said.

"The huge affection and respect with which he was held was always obvious.

"He loved meeting people and he made sure he spoke to every single person at whatever gathering he was at."

Describing him as "the best of us", Mr Whittingdale highlighted Sir David's work to "improve our hospitals across mid and south Essex - a legacy that will continue to benefit hundreds of thousands of Essex residents".

He said that Sir David's "lasting legacy" should be that we "show each other kindness and love".