‘He would have been very proud’: ‘Murdered’ MP David Amess’ beloved French Bulldog Vivienne is named Westminster Dog of the Year after being entered in competition before animal lover was stabbed to death

  • Sir David Amess’ French Bulldog Vivienne is named Westminster Dog of Year
  • Sir David, a 69 year old animal lover, entered Vivienne as ‘political royalty’ in the competition 
  • On October 15, a father-of-five was repeatedly stabbed during a constituency surgery.
  • Ali Harbi Ali, 25, has been charged with the terrorist-motivated murder the Tory MP










Vivienne, a French Bulldog bred by Sir David Amess, was named Westminster Dog of The Year.

The Prime Minister congratulated Sir David, West Sussex MP, for entering the animal into the annual competition before he was attacked and killed in his constituency earlier in the month.

He described his pet animal lover, who entered the competition multiple times but never won, as Vivienne, “political royalty”.

Sir David Amess' French Bulldog Vivienne is announced as the winner of the Westminster Dog of the Year competition, organised jointly by Dogs Trust and The Kennel Club

Sir David Amess’ French Bulldog Vivienne is named the Westminster Dog of the Year, an event jointly organized by Dogs Trust (The Kennel Club)

Vivienne was the beloved pet of the late Sir David , 69, pictured together in September, who was stabbed to death at a constituency surgery on October 15

Vivienne was Sir David’s beloved pet. They were pictured together in September. He was then stabbed to death at a constituency operation on October 15.

The competition, which is open to all canines belonging to MPs and Lords, celebrates the special relationship between human and dog.

The competition is open for all canines belonging MPs and Lords. It celebrates the special relationship between man and dog.

The honour was presented to Sir David by Andrew Rosindell, a fellow Conservative MP, and Mark Francois, his close friends. 

Three-year-old Vivienne wore a neckerchief titled ‘City Of Southend’ in honor of her owner’s longstanding campaign for Southend to be a city.

Boris Johnson tweeted: ‘Congratulations Vivienne. David would have been proud.

Owen Sharp, chief executive officer of Dog’s Trust, stated: “[Sir David]A huge dog lover, he supported our work. Most recently, he was a key member in our Puppysmuggling Taskforce. He supports our campaign against the cruel puppy smuggling.

“Sir David” was a regular attendee at our events and entered his beloved dogs in our Westminster Dog of the year competition.

“He also visited and supported his local Dogs Trust rescue center in Basildon.”

Sir David's close friends, fellow Conservative MPs Andrew Rosindell and Mark Francois collected the honour on his behalf.

The honour was presented to Sir David by Andrew Rosindell, a fellow Conservative MP, and Mark Francois, his close friends.

Sir David had entered the competition several times with his pets but had never won. This year, 14 canines took part from across political parties.

Sir David had entered the competition multiple times with his pets, but had never been victorious. This year, 14 dogs from different political parties participated.

Sir David was stabbed in the neck at Belfairs Methodist Church, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex on October 15, during constituency surgery.

The father of five was declared dead at the scene at 1.10pm. A preliminary postmortem report indicated multiple stab wounds in the chest. 

Today, Sir David’s death was opened for inquest. The hearing lasted less than five minute and was about how he died from’multiple stab injuries to the chest’. The number of wounds was not disclosed.

Ali Harbi Ali, 25, has been charged with the murder in Tory MP’s death and will face trial in March 2019.

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