A political storm has erupted in Westminster after Labour MP Rachel Reeves' office was accused of blocking access to a memorial event for the late Conservative MP Sir David Amess.
The shocking incident occurred when journalist Lizzy Buchan, widow of Tory MP James Buchan, was turned away from attending the memorial service despite having legitimate parliamentary access.
Memorial Service Blockade Sparks Outrage
According to exclusive reports, Ms Buchan was informed by Ms Reeves' staff that she couldn't enter the room where colleagues were gathering to remember Sir David Amess, who was tragically murdered in 2021 while serving his constituents.
The memorial event, held in a parliamentary committee room, was intended to be a cross-party gathering to honour the much-respected MP's legacy. However, the decision to exclude Ms Buchan has raised serious questions about political divisions within Westminster.
Cross-Party Tensions Surface
Sources close to the situation describe the incident as "deeply disappointing" and contrary to the spirit of parliamentary collegiality that Sir David Amess himself championed throughout his career.
One parliamentary insider commented: "This was meant to be a moment of unity and remembrance. To see political barriers erected at such an occasion is profoundly troubling."
Background of the Key Figures
Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor, has been a prominent figure in Labour's frontbench team and is considered one of Westminster's most influential politicians.
Lizzy Buchan, meanwhile, brings her own significant parliamentary connections as the widow of former Conservative MP James Buchan and an experienced political journalist in her own right.
Sir David Amess served as MP for Southend West for nearly four decades before his tragic death during a constituency surgery. His murder sent shockwaves through the political establishment and prompted renewed discussions about MPs' security.
Broader Implications for Westminster Culture
This incident comes at a time when parliamentary culture and cross-party cooperation are under increased scrutiny. Many had hoped that the tragedy of Sir David's death would foster greater unity among politicians of all stripes.
The exclusion of Ms Buchan from the memorial event suggests that political divisions may run deeper than publicly acknowledged, even during moments intended for collective mourning and reflection.
As Westminster processes this latest controversy, questions remain about how such incidents might affect future cross-party cooperation and whether lessons have been learned from past tragedies about the importance of political unity.
