The late Sir David Amess MP has been nominated for America’s highest civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom — an award that can be granted posthumously to non-US citizens. Previous recipients include former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (1991), Lionel Messi (2025), and Bono (2025). In presidential correspondence dated February 2026, the White House wrote to nominator Karim Annabi, a Southend Muslim resident, confirming the nomination has been placed under review.

It is the second nomination submitted by Annabi, who first put Sir David’s name forward under the Biden administration, receiving no response. Undeterred, he resubmitted to the Trump White House, which is now considering it.

The nomination forms part of the Sir David Amess Peace Initiative, an international interfaith campaign honouring the former Southend West MP, who was killed in October 2021 while meeting constituents. The initiative — documented at sirdavidamess.com — has attracted support from former Prime Minister Tony Blair; Rabbi David Rosen, one of the world’s foremost Jewish interfaith leaders, a CBE and papal knight recognised by the Vatican for his work in Jewish-Catholic relations; and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office. It also cites a formal fatwa from the UAE’s official Fatwa Council endorsing the recognition of individuals of other faiths who have contributed positively to society.

The initiative also includes what may be the world’s first interfaith-led sainthood nomination — a distinction that would be fitting for a devout Catholic admired across religious communities for his hands-on, inclusive approach to public life. Cardinal Nichols of Westminster and Bishop Williams of Brentwood wrote to Annabi that Sir David was “a shining example to people of all faiths, a wonderful politician, and a generous human being and man of faith,” adding: “Thank you for nominating Sir David as a Catholic Saint.” Reverend Dr Richard Sudworth, Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury, described the initiative as “heartening… a manifestation of respect across religious traditions.” The religious component was first reported by the Southend Echo on 14 October 2022, and has since received international coverage, including in the Westmount Independent in Montreal and the Interfaith Centre of New York Newsletter.

The initiative seeks to promote religious, political, and racial unity, raise funds for Sir David’s charities, and establish Southend as a recognised model for community harmony and interfaith cooperation.

No decision has yet been announced by the White House.

For further information, visit sirdavidamess.com