UK PM Boris Johnson visits church where British lawmaker David Amess was stabbed to death 

UK PM Boris Johnson on Saturday visited the church on Saturday where British lawmaker David Amess was stabbed to death on Friday. Johnson laid flowers to condole the death. He was accompanied by Interior Minister Priti Patel and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer who also paid tribute to the departed member of the British Parliament.

Amess belonged to Johnson's Conservative Party and the fatal attack came five years after the murder of Jo Cox, a lawmaker from the opposition Labour Party, and has prompted a review of the security of elected politicians.

Amess, 69, was knifed repeatedly in the attack at about midday on Friday in Leigh-on-Sea, east of London, during a meeting with constituents.

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Police arrested a 25-year-old British man at the scene on suspicion of murder, adding it is believed he acted alone.

In a statement early on Saturday, police said the early investigation had revealed a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism.

"To the memory of Sir David Amess MP, a fine parliamentarian and a much-loved colleague and friend," Johnson said in a hand-written note placed in the flowers, adding in a Twitter post that his thoughts were with Amess' family and friends.

Johnson and Starmer stood side by side in a moment of silence before leaving. Other politicians, police representatives and members of the public came to lay flowers and pay respects.

Cannot be cowed

As tributes poured in for Amess, politicians described the attack as an assault on democracy, and Patel said security for lawmakers, known as MPs, was being reviewed and strengthened.

"All measures are being put in place for the security of MPs so that they can carry on with their duties as elected democratic members," Patel said in a broadcast clip following the visit.

"We live in an open society, a democracy. We cannot be cowed by any individual."

In Westminster, where lawmakers do much of their work in parliament, armed police are on patrol. But in their electoral districts, known as constituencies, more often than not there is no security.

Amess was stabbed while holding a surgery - one-to-one meetings with voters, open to whoever turns up.

(With inputs from agencies)