Pro-Palestinian protester filmed spitting on David Amess statue

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 11:08 · Archive

A social media user has posted a video of a man spitting on a statue commemorating murdered MP David Amess in Southend.

A man identifying himself as 'Angry Jesus' on social media has posted video footage of himself spitting on a statue of murdered MP Sir David Amess on the Southend seafront. The incident occurred days after the fifth anniversary of the MP's death in October 2021. In the footage, posted on TikTok, the man is shown spitting on the statue multiple times whilst saying 'These people were just bowing to this p****. Voted for the Iraq War. Shame.'

Sir David, a Conservative MP for Southend West, was killed by Ali Harbi Ali at Belfairs Methodist Church during a constituency surgery on 15 October 2021. The statue, a life-size likeness, stands on the Chalkwell Esplanade overlooking the Thames Estuary and was unveiled in 2024 by Sir David's family. Essex Police are facing calls to investigate the incident as vandalism. Former home secretary Dame Priti Patel, who helped unveil the sculpture, called the act 'sickening and disgusting' and said Sir David 'was respectful, kind and a powerful advocate for free speech and expression'.

How it is being reported

• Pro-Palestine activist shares video of man spitting on David Amess statue as police called to investigate 'sickening act'A pro-Palestine activist has shared a video of a man spitting on a statue of murdered MP David Amess, who was killed by an Islamic State supporter in October 2021. The social media post sparked outrage, with Essex Police facing calls to investigate the “sickening act” of vandalism. TikTok user 'Angry Jesus' shared the footage on the platform in what appeared to be a mockery of tributes laid at the statue just days after the fifth anniversary of the MP’s death. Sir David’s statue, a life-size likeness of the late Southend West MP, stands on the Chalkwell Esplanade in his old constituency…GB News · 22 Oct, 10:41
• Fury as pro-Palestinian protester films himself spitting on statue honouring murdered MP Sir David AmessEssex Police are facing calls to investigate a yob calling himself 'Angry Jesus' on social media who targeted the statue on the Southend seafront.Daily Mail · 21 Oct, 15:21

In this story: David Amess · Ali Harbi Ali · Priti Patel · Southend · Essex Police

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem