Last rites should be recognised as 'emergency service', says Bishop after priest barred access to Sir David Amess

A Catholic bishop has called for greater recognition of the last rites as an “emergency service” in the wake of the brutal murder of Sir David Amess.

Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury made the appeal after police turned away a priest who sought to administer the last rites to the Conservative MP for Southend West at the scene of the attack in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

“Every Catholic Christian hopes to receive the Sacraments and be accompanied by the prayer of the Church in the final crisis of our lives,” Bishop Davies said.