Sir David Amess fund launched two years after his murder

A fund has been launched in memory of a "fierce and proud" MP more than two years after his murder.

Sir David Amess was fatally stabbed by extremist Ali Harbi Ali during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on 15 October 2021.

The fund is open to Conservative MPs and aims to support single-issue campaigns within constituencies.

Two successful applicants will receive £5,000 towards "impactful local campaigns".

The Conservative Party chairman, Richard Holden MP, and Sir David's political successor Anna Firth, launched the fund on Thursday.

The event was held at Sir David's former constituency of Southend West.

Mr Holden said he hoped the fund would honour Sir David and his work, and urged Conservative MPs from across the country to share their ideas.

Mr Holden said Sir David was passionate about a huge number of local projects, including animal welfare and projects to improve Southend.

"Anything that Sir David had a little bit of a passion for could nudge itself on top of the list, he said.

"Sir David massively cared about Southend West."

He added: "So much of what we do as politicians is about campaigns, but I want this to be community orientated."

"I only had the privilege of working closely with Sir David for a short few years, but like so many others, I hold him in high regard as one of the most diligent local campaigners.

"A fierce and proud advocate for Southend West, he was always one of the most popular individuals in parliament, with House of Commons staff, MPs' offices and my colleagues.

"He was respected across the board and over the Party divide."