'Sickening' video of man spitting on statue of murdered MP David Amess sparks police investigation

Police have launched an investigation after a pro-Palestine activist shared a video of a man spitting on a statue of murdered MP David Amess.

The social media post sparked outrage, which went viral yesterday, triggered a flury of calls for Essex Police 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, overlooking the Thames Estuary.

In an update, Chief Inspector David Browning, Southend district commander, said: “We’ve assessed a report made to us yesterday, Wednesday, October 21, which relates to a video posted on social media in Southend.

“An investigation was launched last night. This morning, we’re pursuing a number of targeted lines of enquiry.

“We recognise the concern and upset that the content of this video may cause within the community.”

The monument was erected three years after the Conservative MP was stabbed to death by Islamist extremist Ali Harbi Ali as he held a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church Hall.

Ali had launched his brutal attack after Sir David had voted to support British airstrikes in Syria targeting Islamic State militants.

Sir David’s statue was defaced three times in the now-deleted TikTok video, filmed in first person to obscure the identity of those behind the camera.

It began with someone jabbing a finger at Sir David's monument, declaring “shame”, and spitting in the statue’s face.

“These people were just bowing to this p****. (He) voted for the Iraq War. Shame,” the man could be heard saying.

The video then cuts to two more clips of people spitting on the statue; the first shows someone directing an offensive gesture at the monument before defacing it.

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In the second clip, the person spits in the statue’s face and adds: “Nice.”

Angry Jesus’s TikTok account features many provocative pro-Palestine videos, including one where a man dressed as Jesus marches up and down a high street holding a Palestinian flag.

Other first-person videos show a man challenging Britons on the street about his activism.

However, Angry Jesus has denied being one of the people who spat on Sir David's statue.

“It wasn’t me who spat on Sir David. But if I catch the person who did it, I’ll… #grrrrrr,” he wrote in a caption below the now-deleted video.

Former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel took to social media to condemn the video.

“This is a sickening and disgusting act committed by a vile individual.

“Sir David was respectful, kind and a powerful advocate for free speech and expression. He always debated political differences with dignity.

“To disrespect his life and legacy in this way is dreadful,” she said.

Other outraged comments across social media call for Essex Police to investigate the individuals responsible for the defacement.

"Essex Police, this is vile, please investigate. The poor family and his friends, the community. It's distressing,” one wrote on X.

Another implored the force to: “Find that scumbag”.