British man says he killed MP for voting for airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria

The man accused of murdering British MP Sir David Amess has told a London court that he killed him for voting in favour of airstrikes in Syria seven years ago, accusing him of "harming Muslims".

Ali Harbi Ali, the 26-year-old, told the court he stabbed Sir David Amess to death in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex on 15 October 2021, adding that he did not regret his actions.

"If I thought I did anything wrong, I wouldn't have done it," he said, according to the BBC.

Ali denies preparing terrorist acts and murder, saying his killing of Amess was to "defend’"Muslims.

“I decided to do it because I felt that if I could kill someone who made decisions to kill Muslims, it could prevent further harm to those Muslims,” he said.

During the trial, he also revealed he wanted to kill cabinet minister Michael Gove, and expressed regret that he could not travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group.

He told the court that he had planned "to attack and hopefully kill Michael Gove at the time".

"I believe he was someone who was a harm to Muslims. I thought if I couldn't go join Islamic State, I should try and do something here to help Muslims here," he said.

Ali also retracted earlier comments he made to the police admitting that his actions were "terror", saying that he would no longer class them as such.

He argued that Sir David’s actions were comparable to his when he voted in favour of airstrikes in Syria.

"I don't think I would use those words now”, he told the court.

"If I was to use that word on myself, I would expect the British politicians who bombed Syria to use that word on themselves."

The trial has been adjourned until Monday.