Timeline reveals events leading to murder of David Amess

Ali carried out the “cold and calculating” murder at the veteran MP’s constituency surgery in Leigh on October 15 last year.

He told the Old Bailey trial he had no regrets about the murder, defending his actions by saying Sir David deserved to die as a result of voting in Parliament for air strikes on Syria in 2014 and 2015.

A jury deliberated for just 18 minutes to find Ali guilty of murder and preparing for terrorist acts.

He will be sentenced on Wednesday.

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Here are the key events leading up to the murder of Sir David Amess:

2014: Ali Harbi Ali considers travelling to Syria to join Islamic State but does not go.

2016: Around this time Ali buys a 12-in knife from Argos, which he used to kill Sir David.

2017: He decides to carry out an attack in the United Kingdom.

From May 2019: Ali notes down an MP’s home address and an attack plan and saves it on his mobile phone.

2020: The terror plan is disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

March to July 2021: Ali stakes out the west London home address of Government Minister Michael Gove six times.

July to September: He visits the House of Parliament six times.

September 17: Ali carries out more hostile reconnaissance outside Mike Freer MP’s constituency surgery in Finchley, north London.

September 27: Ali finds out about Sir David’s constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex and emails to make an appointment claiming to be moving to the area. Following an email exchange with aide Rebecca Hayton, an appointment is fixed for noon on October 15.

October 15: At 8.40am, Ali sets off from his home in Kentish Town. He travels by foot and train to Gospel Oak Station and Barking, arriving at Leigh-On-Sea at 10.22am.

CCTV issued by Metropolitan Police of the greeting desk at Belfairs Methodist Church

At 10am Sir David Amess begins his constituency surgery at the Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea. He is accompanied by two staff, Ms Hayton and Julie Cushion.

Between 10.28am and 11.50am, Ali is captured on CCTV walking around Leigh-on-Sea, arriving at the church shortly before noon.

Just after 12noon, Ms Hayton escorts Ali to meet the MP in a vestry office.

Ali tells Sir David he wants to talk about foreign affairs before stabbing him 21 times. Shortly before or after Ali sends a WhatsApp message to friends and family explaining his attack “in the name of Allah”.

At 12.07pm, Essex Police receive a report of the incident from Ms Cushion.

At 12.13pm, Constituent Yvonne Eaves calls 999 and describes how she and partner Darren King were being threatened by Ali.

While Ms Eaves is on the phone, Pc Scott James and Pc Ryan Curtis, who are armed with batons, arrive at the church and apprehend 26-year-old Ali, who drops the 12-inch long carving knife.

At 1.10pm, Sir David is pronounced dead.

October 18: Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces Southend will be granted city status.

– Lady Julia Amess makes an emotional visit the church in Leigh-on-Sea.

October 21: Ali Harbi Ali, from Kentish Town, London, is charged with murder.

October 22: The defendant appears at the Old Bailey by video-link from high-security Belmarsh prison.

– MPs are offered a security guard for constituency surgeries following a review into their safety.

October 27: An inquest into the death of Sir David is opened and adjourned.

November 15: The UK’s terrorism threat level is raised after two attacks in a month.

November 22: A private funeral takes place for Sir David in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

November 23: The Pope praises Sir David’s years of “devoted public service” in a message read at a Westminster Cathedral service.

December 21: Ali appears at the Old Bailey for a plea hearing charged with murder and preparation of terrorist acts.

March 2022: Ali goes on trial accused of preparing terrorist acts and murder.

April 11 2022: A jury deliberated for just 18 minutes to find Ali guilty of murder and preparing for terrorist acts.