A 25-year-old man from London has been charged with the terrorism-related murder of MP Sir David Amess.

The Conservative MP for Southend West was fatally stabbed on Friday during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex.

Ali Harbi Ali, 25, from north London, has been charged with murder (contrary to common law), and preparation of terrorist acts (contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006).

The charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division (SCCTD).

Ali remains in custody and will first appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 21 October.

Wimbledon Times: Tributes left to MP Sir David Amess - PATributes left to MP Sir David Amess - PA

Floral tributes had been left outside the Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where Conservative MP Sir David Amess died on Friday. (Joe Giddens/PA)

Nick Price, of the CPS, said: "We will submit to the court that this murder has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations."

On Monday, Parliament paid tribute to Sir David as it was announced that Southend would be granted city status, in recognition of his decades-long campaign for the seaside town to be given the honour.

Wimbledon Times: PAPA

Matt Jukes, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations, said: "I want to send my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Sir David Amess, who died so tragically last Friday.

"Sir David’s dedication to his family, his constituents and his community, and his positive impact on the lives of so many has shone through.

"Today's charge is a significant milestone in the case, but the work from my colleagues in the Met's Counter Terrorism Command will continue apace.

"There has been considerable speculation in the media about the background, history and motivation of the man now charged.

"I understand the huge level of public interest in this case, but now a charge has been brought, it is vitally important that everyone exercises restraint when commenting on it publicly, to ensure future court proceedings are not prejudiced in any way."