Security advice has been given to East Renfrewshire politicians after an MP was stabbed to death while meeting constituents.

Police have contacted all of the area’s MPs and MSPs to provide guidance in light of the horrific killing of Sir David Amess.

The 69-year-old Conservative MP for Southend West, in Essex, had been holding a surgery for constituents on Friday when he was fatally wounded.

A 25-year-old British man, Ali Harbi Ali, is being held under the Terrorism Act.

East Renfrewshire MP Kirsten Oswald, of the SNP, is among those who have offered condolences to his loved ones.

She told the Barrhead News: “The news about Sir David Amess was shocking and my thoughts are with his family, friends and his team at this terrible time.

“Sir David was a decent man and MPs from all parties thought well of him. We are all horrified at such a senseless act of violence while he was just doing his job.”

Dad-of-five Sir David is the second sitting MP to be killed in such circumstances in the past five years, following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.

Ms Oswald added: “The abuse and intimidation targeted at MPs, parliamentary staff and public representatives needs to stop.

“For now, my thoughts are very much with his loved ones as they deal with this tragedy but we need to seriously consider how to change things because such violence is a threat to our democracy.”

East Renfrewshire’s MSPs – Tom Arthur and Jackson Carlaw – have received a letter from Holyrood’s presiding officer Alison Johnstone to offer advice following the attack on Sir David.

Ms Johnstone said: “Representing our constituents is one of the greatest privileges of being a Member of the Scottish Parliament but it is one that, sadly, can bring with it threats and fears for the safety of ourselves, our staff and families.”