Sir David Amess profile: Eurosceptic MP with a passion for animal welfare

Long-serving Conservative, who has died after stabbing, also campaigned on health issues and fuel poverty

The Conservative Sir David Amess, 69, was one of the longest-serving MPs, having first been elected for Basildon in 1983 and then for Southend West in 1997.

A long-term Eurosceptic, he supported Brexit in the 2016 EU referendum and tweeted a picture of a lifesize cardboard cutout of Margaret Thatcher on the day the UK left the European Union.