Douglas Ross has spoken of his devastation over the death of his friend Sir David Amess after spending his final days with him. 

The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party leader has just returned from being in Qatar with the Southend West MP on a parliamentary delegation. 

He said it has been a "privilege" to spend the week with him.

Sir David, 69, was stabbed to death at a constituency meeting at midday on Friday. 

He was the Chairman of Qatar All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and had met with refugees from Afghanistan who are being looked after in Qatar this week. 

He has been described as a "leader in building ties between the UK and the people of Qatar". 

 

Ross said: “I am shocked and devastated by the death of Sir David Amess in horrific circumstances.

“David was an outstanding MP, a great colleague and someone I was proud to call a friend.

“I’ve just returned from Qatar as part of a Parliamentary delegation that David led. It was a privilege to spend the last week with him.

“Not only was David professional and knowledgeable on the visits, but he was also great company to share time with.

"He regaled us all with his stories of almost four decades of public service. He was witty and engaging, and still had so much to offer."

 

As a mark of respect to Sir David the Scottish Conservative party has suspended all political campaigning this weekend.

Ross continued: “When I was first elected as an MP in 2017, David’s office was just two doors down from mine, and he did everything he could to make me feel welcome and supported in Westminster.

“David died doing the job he loved, helping his constituents and carrying out his public duty. A duty he has carried out for the last 38 years he has been a member of Parliament.

“I am at a complete loss for words to describe this tragedy – and I offer my prayers and heartfelt condolences to David’s wife Julia and his five children.

“He will be sorely missed by everyone who had the honour of knowing him.”