THE late Sir David Amess was awarded the Parliamentarian of the Year prize during an annual awards ceremony.

The awards, which are hosted by political magazine, The Spectator, were held earlier this week and saw a host of MPs handed prizes for their work in the past 12 months.

Jacob Rees Mogg, leader of the House of Commons, collected the Parliamentarian of the Year award on Sir David’s behalf.

He said it was the “saddest award to collect” and described Sir David as “an MP for his constituents” in the best sense.

Mr Rees-Mogg added: “'Those of us who believe in the intercessions of the saints know that there is a martyr in heaven who will intercede for us, who will stand up not just for the people of Basildon and the people of Southend, but for all of us.”

The announcements of the award came just days after Sir David was laid to rest following funeral services in Southend and Westminster.

Read more >> How Sir David's funeral and procession in Southend unfolded

Thousands of constituents paid their respects to the Southend West MP on Monday during a procession held following a funeral service.

Crowds applauded the horse-drawn hearse carrying Sir David’s casket as they gathered outside the Civic Centre and the MP’s constituency office at Iveagh Hall in Leigh.

Sir David was stabbed to death during a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in October.

Ali Harbi Ali has been charged with murder and will stand trial next year.