CUMBRIAN leaders have spoken out against a parliamentary tragedy.

They have spoken about the kind-hearted nature of Sir David Amess MP, who was stabbed to death at his surgery in Essex on Friday.

The Southend West MP was holding his regular surgery, which he had tweeted about earlier in the day.

The police were called to Belfairs Methodist Church at 12.05pm. They arrested a man on suspicion of murder and recovered a knife.

Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness, said: "This is just the most awful news.

"Sir David was a genuinely kind man, always there with a smile and advice if you needed it. He loved his job and his constituency and he'll be missed hugely by all of us."

Barrow councillor Ian Mooney said: "My thoughts are with the friends and family of Sir David Amess MP.

"It is horrendous that this is now the second MP to be murdered in 5 years. This is an attack on democracy and must not be tolerated."

It is not only the second attack on an MP in five years, but the fourth time in 21 years an MP has been violently targeted.

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: "Terrible, terrible, terrible news.

"He made a mundane tweet earlier in the day about the surgery and attends like he's done hundreds of times before - but this time he doesn't come home."

"I knew David a little bit, he's been in Parliament for all the time I've been there and a little bit longer."

Like many, he took the opportunity to express his view of Sir David Amess.

"He was quite a character: a funny person; lovely and kind; genuinely interested in other people.

"On a private level, he was a generous spirit - always interested and gave everyone the time of day.

"I never had a cross word with him outside the chamber and he was a very good, committed servant of his community.

He stressed the need to continue parliamentary duties.

"Tomorrow I’ll go and do my surgery in Grange. Serving people matters and we shouldn’t be cowed by brutality.

"I'll be working with police to make sure my staff and volunteers are safe.

"Thoughts and prayers are with his family."