A trial of the man accused of murdering Sir David Amess has been delayed after some of the jury tested positive for Covid.
The trial of Ali Harbi Ali, 26, was due to continue on Monday but three jurors have now tested positive for Covid, the judge confirmed.
Mr Justice Sweeney said: “I have adjourned it until next Monday. By Monday I would realistically hope they will be better and that means you are not going to be required at this court when I have finished until next Monday.
“I’m going to ask you please do not go to work unless you absolutely feel you cannot avoid it for this reason - I want to keep the risk of any of you testing positive between now and next Monday to an absolute minimum if I can.
“As you can imagine with a case of this importance it is vitally important if we possibly can to maintain a jury of 12. As today has shown us clearly, Covid is rife at the moment.”
Ali, from Kentish Town, is accused of murdering the 69-year-old MP for Southend West and his trial will now resume on April 4.
The court has been told how Sir David’s assailant stabbed the MP more than 20 times at constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea on October 15, 2021
Jurors were shown video footage of the moment police officers tackled the suspect in Belfairs Methodist Church.
Ali admitted to the police that he had become radicalised following the bombing of Syria, the court heard.
The accused also claimed to have carried out surveillance on Michael Gove and fellow MP, Mike Freer in 2021.
Ali denies plotting acts of terror for two years before stabbing Sir David and a charge of murder.
