Southend to become city in honour of Sir David Amess

Boris Johnson confirms move three days after death of MP who had long campaigned for Essex town to get city status

Southend will become a city in honour of Sir David Amess, Boris Johnson has confirmed, paying tribute to the Tory MP who had been a long-time committed campaigner for his area to gain the status.

Amess had raised the issue almost weekly in the 38 years he served as a backbench MP before he was killed on Friday. on Monday the prime minister said the Queen had agreed Southend in Essex would be granted city status.