David Amess MP, Prime Ministers Office at The House of Commons on October 16, 2016, in London, United Kingdom Zoe Norfolk/Getty Images
Sir David Amess, Conservative MP, died following an attack on his Essex constituency surgery.
Father Jeffrey Woolnough offered the priesthood to Sir David who had been repeatedly stabbed.
Insider was told by Essex Police that they considered the murder a terrorist event and that the integrity of the crime scene had to be maintained.
The police who arrived at the crime scene where Sir David Amess MP had been stabbed to death had the ability to stop a priest performing the last rites.
Police are investigating the incident as terrorist and have declared it a murder.
Father Jeffrey Woolnough (a local priest) attempted to enter the scene in order to administer the sacrament to the Conservative MP, the Mail Online reported. However, he was denied access due to crime scene management rules.
Amess was a Catholic devout, and the last rituals, also known as the Commendation of the Dying, are an essential and traditional practice for Catholics about to die.
Father Woolnough ran to the police station but was denied entry. According to the Mail Online, 'The officers stated that it was a crime site, and the nature of it, it just wasn’t possible."
Insider was told by a spokesperson from Essex Police that the police could not risk altering or tampering with the crime scene, because the situation was ongoing.
"As with all police incidents, it is crucial that we maintain the integrity of a crime site and allow emergency services access to those who are in greatest need. To protect the area and prevent contamination, a cordon was established.
The investigating officers have the right to enter a scene. "This is an essential part of any investigation in order to secure justice for victims and their families," Essex Police stated in a statement.
British counter-terror officers confirmed that the attack had been classified as Islamic terrorism on the evening of the attack.
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At the scene, a 25-year-old male was taken into custody.
Amess, aged 69, was fatally attacked at Belfairs Methodist Church, Leigh-on-Sea in Essex. This is where the MP met his constituents.
Amess is the British's second MP to die in five years. Jo Cox, Labour MP, was killed in Birstall, West Yorkshire as she was about her constituency surgery in 2016. Thomas Mair, a far-right minded assailant, shot her and then stabbed her.
Priti Patel, Home Secretary, is being asked to address safety concerns of other MPs. Many are calling for greater security.
Business Insider has the original article.
