Southend rabbi remembers murdered MP Sir David Amess as 'a real mensch'

Rabbi Hyman said he had a 'very close relationship with our Jewish community here in Westcliff and warmly welcomed me into this area and kept in touch'

The rabbi of Southend & Westcliff Hebrew Congregation has paid tribute to Sir David Amess as “a real mensch” following the MP’s death on Friday.

Rabbi Geoffrey Hyman remembered the politician’s support for his local community, Israel and Holocaust education.

He said: “We are absolutely devastated by the death of Sir David Amess, our local MP . He had a very close relationship with our Jewish community here in Westcliff.

“Always supportive and sympathetic to our members and causes. He attended numerous events at our synagogue.

“We are deeply saddened and send our condolences to his dear family…. May he rest in peace. On a personal note I must add, that he warmly welcomed me into this area and kept in touch.”

Following his death, tributes poured in from across the Jewish community.

Conservative Sir David, 69, who had been an MP since 1983, was meeting constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on Friday afternoon when he was stabbed multiple times in a frenzied attack. His death comes after the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, Jo Cox, was murdered in 2016 as she was on her way to a constituency surgery.

WATCH: Sir David Amess: ‘I would have been proud to be born a Jew’