British government considering police protection in wake of lawmaker’s killing

British Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Sunday that she is considering police protection for members of Parliament (MPs) when meeting with constituents following the fatal stabbing of British MP David Amess.

Speaking to Sky News’s Trevor Phillips, Patel said there were multiple options for British lawmakers to enhance their own protection, such as booking appointments with constituents in advance and vetting people they are scheduled to meet with. However, Patel acknowledged that more could be done to prevent future attacks.

“We need to close any gaps, basically, where we feel there are any concerns,” she said.

Patel said having a police presence at constituent events was being considered, adding that the British government would do “absolutely everything” to protect lawmakers.

Amess was fatally stabbed on Friday by a 25-year-old British man while meeting with constituents in Essex. Though authorities have not officially named the suspected stabber, multiple news outlets have reported that authorities arrested Ali Harbi Ali. Ali is the son of Harbi Ali Kullane, a former adviser to Somalia’s prime minister.

Speaking to The Times, Kullane quoted his son as saying to him, “I’m feeling very traumatized. It’s not something that I expected or even dreamed of.”

Authorities have described the attack as an act of terrorism.

Patel added that she does not believe this attack should change the relationship between lawmakers and their constituents.

“This should never, ever break that link between an elected representative and their democratic role, responsibility and duty to the people who elected them,” she said.