Salisbury MP John Glen has said he will consider security advice after the fatal stabbing of Sir David Amess last week.

Home secretary, Priti Patel, said police could be called in to guard MPs’ surgeries to keep them safe after the murder of the Southend West MP on Friday, October 15.

This follows a recent debate surrounding the safety of MPs and whether surgeries with constituents should still be held in person.

Will Salisbury's MP stop in-person meetings with constituents?

On this subject, Mr Glen said: “The sense of shock and grief in Parliament is palpable.

“I will, of course, reflect carefully on any security advice I am offered in the coming days.

“However, my instinct is not to make any changes that would restrict constituents’ access to me or limit my ability to carry out casework for them.

“The many warm tributes to Sir David really underline the importance of being readily available to hear people’s concerns.”

Priti Patel said protection for MPs while they are holding talks with constituents was one of the options being considered under a “whole spectrum” of measures to address safety concerns. 

'It would be a sad day indeed if restrictions on this process were deemed necessary'

Salisbury Amnesty International Chair Andrew Hemming wrote in to the Salisbury Journal to say: “Following the tragic death of Sir David Amess last week, I am writing to say how much we value the tradition of MP’s surgeries.

“My group had a meeting with John Glen earlier this month, where we were able to exchange views on current legislation in a respectful way; while we had our disagreements, we took note of each other’s views and departed amicably. 

“It is vital that this kind of relationship continues between us and our representatives, and it would be a sad day indeed if restrictions on this process were deemed necessary.

“We would urge parliament and the government to do everything they can to keep local surgeries going even with whatever enhanced security may be appropriate to protect the lives of our elected MPs.”

John Glen was 'sickened and heartbroken' following the death of Sir David who expressed his condolences along with other local politicians. 

Wiltshire's Police Chief Kier Pritchard expressed his condolences to Sir David's family on behalf of Wiltshire Police. 

Update: Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire comments on MP security 

Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson has said it is important that democracy should continue but said that current security measures would be looked at, inline with any Government reviewed security guidance, for Wiltshire's MPs. 

Wilkinson said: "I’ve taken time over the past few days to contact all of our county’s MPs following the horrific death of Sir David Amess on Friday.

"This awful event has shocked the entire country and will rightly concern all those elected to represent the public.

"I have been briefed by the Chief Constable on the local response and Wiltshire Police has made contact with all MPs in the county and are assessing what more needs to be done to ensure our elected representatives are able to continue to carry out their important work within their constituencies.

"We all know that when you are in public service the threat to you is going to be higher than if you are not and I’m really proud of our MPs in that they have not made a huge fuss, they just want us to reassure them they are taking the right measures.

"We will now look at any protective measures the Government may now outline, as a response, and ensure they are implemented here in Wiltshire.

"Sir David’s family have called for us to ‘set aside hatred and work towards togetherness'. We must now stand together to condemn attacks on any democratically-elected individual and reaffirm that abuse, violence and intimidation will never be tolerated, regardless of political affiliation.

"This horrific attack is a direct assault on our democracy and my thoughts and sympathies are with Sir David's loved ones at this very difficult time."

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